Just off the Sky

[janpo]

We booked the Sky as part of the promotion NCL ran on BOGO free sale. We sailed the Getaway in September and as part of the promotion you had to use your free cruise on the Sky up by February 2015.

 

Our first cruise with NCL was on the Pearl and we loved it. We also loved the Getaway although we thought she might be too big for us. Well after sailing on the Sky we changed our minds...again.

 

We couldn't help comparing the Sky to the Getaway and that's just not fair. Had we sailed the Sky first and then the Getaway my thoughts may be different. We won't sail the Sky again.

 

She is old and showing her age. The food imo was below par on other ships . We did have good pasta in the Italian restaurant Adiago for lunch . We ate there twice since it was so good.

 

The Sky is showing her age. The cabins are the smallest I've seen in awhile. The bathrooms are so small that I wonder how larger people actually fit in them. The shower is a little cylinder . You cannot do anything more than just stand in the bathroom. If you moved our bathroom door would pop open.

 

We had a wonderful steward and everyone that worked there was very friendly.

 

We went to see the Vegas show and again imo it wasn't very good.

 

We met a couple at the Fort lauderdale airport that was sailing on the Sky with us. This was there first cruise on NCL and they are experienced cruisers. I told them not to judge NCL on the Sky cruise only. We saw them a few times during the cruise and rode on the shuttle with them back to the airport. They have decided not to try NCL again even though i told them that this is their oldest smallest ship and how nice the Getaway is.

 

 

So like i said, had we sailed the Sky first and then the Getaway my thoughts may be different. Our next cruise will again be on the bigger ships.

[sparks1093]

We booked the Sky as part of the promotion NCL ran on BOGO free sale. We sailed the Getaway in September and as part of the promotion you had to use your free cruise on the Sky up by February 2015.

 

Our first cruise with NCL was on the Pearl and we loved it. We also loved the Getaway although we thought she might be too big for us. Well after sailing on the Sky we changed our minds...again.

 

We couldn't help comparing the Sky to the Getaway and that's just not fair. Had we sailed the Sky first and then the Getaway my thoughts may be different. We won't sail the Sky again.

 

She is old and showing her age. The food imo was below par on other ships . We did have good pasta in the Italian restaurant Adiago for lunch . We ate there twice since it was so good.

 

The Sky is showing her age. The cabins are the smallest I've seen in awhile. The bathrooms are so small that I wonder how larger people actually fit in them. The shower is a little cylinder . You cannot do anything more than just stand in the bathroom. If you moved our bathroom door would pop open.

 

We had a wonderful steward and everyone that worked there was very friendly.

 

We went to see the Vegas show and again imo it wasn't very good.

 

We met a couple at the Fort lauderdale airport that was sailing on the Sky with us. This was there first cruise on NCL and they are experienced cruisers. I told them not to judge NCL on the Sky cruise only. We saw them a few times during the cruise and rode on the shuttle with them back to the airport. They have decided not to try NCL again even though i told them that this is their oldest smallest ship and how nice the Getaway is.

 

 

So like i said, had we sailed the Sky first and then the Getaway my thoughts may be different. Our next cruise will again be on the bigger ships.

 

For the money that you paid the Sky was a great deal, no? She may not have all of the bells and whistles of the other ships but the Sky definitely gave us a good cruise for our money which is our standard.

[RuthlessBoss]

Sounds like you spent a great deal of time comparing the 2 ships and that can't be done. Sky gives short inexpensive cruises so needless to say there is much turnover. At one point, Sky was the biggest and best too.

[janpo]

Which is why I posted that comparing the two wasn't fair.

Edited January 18, 2015 by janpo

[NayRN]

Sorry you didn't enjoy your cruise on the Sky. I've sailed on her three times...and I'm planning in booking her again in 2016. Yes, the Sky is old...and small....and showing her age, but my most relaxing cruises have been sailing for 4-days on her! I don't book the Sky for all the bells and whistles, I sail on her because there are no bells and whistles and 4000+ passengers! :D 🌴

 

I am happy that you've decided not to judge NCL by just one ship! :cool: And, after sailing in the Sky and Jewel-class ships, I'm a bit worried about my next cruise on the Getaway! She just seems to be way too big for me! :eek:

[cruizinwithkids]

Thank you for posting your review. I will be sailing on the Sky next weekend and am VERY much looking forward to it. My last four cruises have been on the Breakaway, the Getaway and twice on the Disney Fantasy. All three of these ships are big and very new.

 

I have been on the Sky a few times but not in a couple of years. I'm grateful for the reminder that I am not sailing on those other three. I'm still very much looking forward to it but will readjust my expectations.

 

Interestingly enough, I sailed the Sky to Alaska in 2003. Sailed it again as the Pride of Aloha in 2008 and have sailed it 3 times since its return to Miami for the shorter cruises.

[RuthlessBoss]

Sorry you didn't enjoy your cruise on the Sky. I've sailed on her three times...and I'm planning in booking her again in 2016. Yes, the Sky is old...and small....and showing her age, but my most relaxing cruises have been sailing for 4-days on her! I don't book the Sky for all the bells and whistles, I sail on her because there are no bells and whistles and 4000+ passengers! :D

 

I am happy that you've decided not to judge NCL by just one ship! :cool: And, after sailing in the Sky and Jewel-class ships, I'm a bit worried about my next cruise on the Getaway! She just seems to be way too big for me! :eek:

 

As much as I loved Getaway, no complaints at all, but you need to pick and choose what's important to do if there is to be any relaxation time. I would need another cruise on her to see and do what I didn't do on that cruise.

[sc2011]

We sailed on the Sky in December. It was our third time. I know what you mean about the small showers. We had that our first two times. This trip we had the Owner's Suite. The room, balcony and bathroom were very large. Service was fantastic. I found the concierge, Omar, to be the best we've had. Chef's table was awesome. We love the small ship and smaller crowds. We love how anyone can use the sauna and steam rooms at no cost. Yes, the ship is aging and I find the food to be better on the larger/newer ships; however, the Sky is the most peaceful to us.

[Rochesterboatingdotcom]

We've been on the Sky three times. She has always been one of ouR favorites. On our cruise last November we got the UDP, and ate in Cagneys three nights. We have done Cagneys on Five NCL ships, the Sky experience was the best. Excellent service and the steaks were perfect.

 

Would sail Sky again in a heartbeat.

[fshagan]

Our first NCL cruise was on the Sky after being on Disney and Princess for past cruises. We have cruised on Disney since then, but not on Princess (although we did consider their 8 night British Isles cruise for this fall). We aren't tied to NCL except in the fact that all other things being equal NCL wins because of true Freestyle dining.

 

We enjoyed the Sky quite a bit back then primarily because of the Freestyle dining and the level of service from the crew. The showers are indeed so small ("how small are they?") it's better to soap up the sides, step in and turn around in circles to get clean. (OK, I stole that from the comedian on board). But we thought the advantages outweighed the disadvantages.

 

Some things do remain the same between lines: If I wanted to have a formal night because I felt that was an essential part of the cruise experience then I could decide not to cruise NCL again because of Freestyle. That would certainly be appropriate no matter which ship I cruised on, just as my adverse reaction to a formal night is a reason for me to choose NCL over any other line. Perhaps the couple would have had the same reaction if they had sailed on Breakaway instead of the Sky.

[nyc2theworld]

I did the same exact thing, Getaway first, then the Sky. Completely different ships with completely different audiences with completely different agendas. Sky is a party ship and was fun as a party ship. Its different from the Getaway in which you have that party atmosphere but it is a lot more subdued and relaxing than the Sky.

 

I enjoyed both ships and if I ever need a quick escape the Sky is the ship for me...If I'm going on a longer vacation, there are better ships that suit that purpose.

[all_aboard]

I am wondering how is the water temp.? I will be aboard the 2/16 cruise. I love to snorkel but won't do it in cold water. Any help will be appreciated.

[janpo]

To me the water was freezing. I only went in up to my ankles because it was cold. Others though were swimming and snorkeling off Grand stirrup cay. I need it a lot warmer too to go in.

[all_aboard]

Thanks, I can't go in if it's cold. I may just leave the snorkel gear home since I am flying to Miami.

[cliffd64]

Sorry you didn't enjoy your cruise on the Sky. I've sailed on her three times...and I'm planning in booking her again in 2016. Yes, the Sky is old...and small....and showing her age, but my most relaxing cruises have been sailing for 4-days on her! I don't book the Sky for all the bells and whistles, I sail on her because there are no bells and whistles and 4000+ passengers! :D 🌴

 

I am happy that you've decided not to judge NCL by just one ship! :cool: And, after sailing in the Sky and Jewel-class ships, I'm a bit worried about my next cruise on the Getaway! She just seems to be way too big for me! :eek:

 

I thought the Getaway was going to be too big for me. But ... as it turns out it wasn't the size at all that I noticed... it's the sheer number of venues across the ship that is daunting at times. There was simply so many places to go do things that it was impossible to see it all.

 

The biggest difference I felt was in the overall design of the ship, with two huge banks of elevators at the fore and aft, and nothing in the center. When not on the pool deck, you tend to spend a lot of time on decks 6,7, and 8 and it was easy to get turned around and walk to the wrong bank of elevators occasionally. No big deal, it just meant a long walk from one end to the other to get to our cabin we took the other elevator by mistake.

[winnky333]

We had a free weekend on the Sky and I must tell you, it was one of the best cruises(out of 16) that we were on. We have sailed the Breakaway twice, Dawn, Sun, Star, Jewel and although large ships have more to offer than the Sky, this cruise was so laid back and relaxing. The staff were great and could not do enough for you. I wish the Sky would come up to NY.

[all_aboard]

Thanks for the review!

[NayRN]

I thought the Getaway was going to be too big for me. But ... as it turns out it wasn't the size at all that I noticed... it's the sheer number of venues across the ship that is daunting at times. There was simply so many places to go do things that it was impossible to see it all.

 

The biggest difference I felt was in the overall design of the ship, with two huge banks of elevators at the fore and aft, and nothing in the center. When not on the pool deck, you tend to spend a lot of time on decks 6,7, and 8 and it was easy to get turned around and walk to the wrong bank of elevators occasionally. No big deal, it just meant a long walk from one end to the other to get to our cabin we took the other elevator by mistake.

 

Thanks for the info! Our cabin is all the way forward...so I guess I'll plan on burning off some calories when I use the wrong bank of elevators!!! ;) We booked with the UDP, UBP and OBC.....going to be a lot of empty calories going in!! :eek:

[all_aboard]

I could use some GSC weather right now!

[aztekpm]

We're planning a girls trip in Sept. on the Sky ... Just how small are the showers, seriously? Does anyone have dimensions? I'm on the larger side and for the most part no issues with fitting in stuff, but you all have me freaked out!

[Bryna123]

The shower is adequate. If you drop the soap you wont be bending at the waist to pick it up - just lower from the knees with your back straight :)

[grandsix]

Just off Sky. Had a great time. 3 ports in 4 days is pretty good. Very friendly crew and great management. Heard from staff the Sky was #1 in fleet regarding guest reviews over recent weeks.

[meggie711]

Just off Sky. Had a great time. 3 ports in 4 days is pretty good. Very friendly crew and great management. Heard from staff the Sky was #1 in fleet regarding guest reviews over recent weeks.

 

Great to hear! We will be on the Sky in March and can't wait! It will be our 5 yo DS's first cruise, so we wanted to start small. Gives you a better appreciation for the bigger, newer ships, IMHO. ;) If we are safe, decently warm, comfortable, not at work, and watching a beautiful view, I'm a happy gal. :D

[tawaik]

I sailed on the Sky in September of 2013 in a balcony cabin. The restroom was small and so was the shower. I was stunned when I saw how small the shower was but I found it be okay. For this to be balcony there was not much room for just (2) of us to move around freely but we managed pretty well.

 

Yes, the ship is old but we wound up having new fun :) This was my first time sailing with NCL and I was amazed by things that came way. First, we received an invite to the Officers Dinner, where the wine glasses were never half full, met some great people and had a well timed served dinner. Next, I received a complimentary bottle of wine and truffles, chocolate covered strawberries and shaved dark chocolate delivered to our cabin twice :) Our room attendant remembered my name and I did good in the casino that I almost won back our cruise fare!! We attended the White Hot Party (now the Glow/80's party) and had a blast dancing like no one was watching. Getting a lounge chair by the pool was not hard to find and the drinks were excellent (IMO) and I loved the crepes at the buffet. The crew was always cleaning and liked how they directed people to sanitize their hands before entering the buffet area.

 

Would I go back on the Sky? Yes!!!! The Sky does not offer the bells and whistles of it's sister ships but a good time can be had by those that easy to please. Sometimes one just need a quick get away and they offer 3-4 sailings which can take the edge off one's busy life.

[tawaik]

Great to hear! We will be on the Sky in March and can't wait! It will be our 5 yo DS's first cruise, so we wanted to start small. Gives you a better appreciation for the bigger, newer ships, IMHO. ;) If we are safe, decently warm, comfortable, not at work, and watching a beautiful view, I'm a happy gal. :D

 

 

I wish we had a 'LIKE' button :D That is how I feel, no work, no cleaning and no cooking!!!

 

^5