Solo Cruiser- thinking about NCL Sky

[cruisin' 4 fun]

Thinking about my 14th total cruise but 2nd solo. All have been on RCCL, Carnival or Disney. Considering the Sky for a 4 day Bahamas cruise to Grand Bahama, Nassau and Great Stirup Cay. Price is great wondering what people think about the ship? Anyone have some input?

 

 

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[fshagan]

Our first NCL cruise was in an ocean view on the Sky. It is one of the older and smaller ships in the NCL fleet and it does show its age a bit. You won't find the same level of entertainment as you will on the newer NCL ships, so as long as you keep that in mind I suspect you will enjoy yourself.

 

We were impressed by the crew and really enjoyed Freestyle dining. The buffet is smaller on the Sky and the Sun (it's sister ship) but they seem to do a pretty good job with what they have. We have sailed NCL quite a bit since then, and prefer NCL over other lines.

 

We recently did a Pacific coastal on the Sun so the smaller ship vibe doesn't bother us at all. The cruise immediately prior to it was the Epic, which is (or was) the largest in the fleet and second or third newest, and probably has some of the best entertainment at sea. But we enjoyed our Sun cruise just as much.

[Valen9]

I went on a solo cruise on Sky a few weeks ago, in an aft balcony. The ship is quite comfortable for the short trips it does. The folks in specialty restaurants were pretty cool about me dining solo, though I did tend to eat early.

 

The aft balcony let me sunbathe and generally enjoy the warm weather without needing to be in public. Sky also has a Great Outdoors, which is a nice place to eat and enjoy the weather.

 

What are you looking for in your solo cruise? Maybe I can let you know if Sky is a good fit for that.

[cruisin' 4 fun]

Thank you for your responses. I'm looking to relax while on the ship and some excursions while in port. I'm concerned about dining. On my last solo I dined with 8 other members from the roll call. I would like to dine with others if possible. Not really sure how the Freestyle dining works and what is "Great Outdoors"? I'm ok with relaxing out in the public areas. Thinking the Sky will work perfectly except for everything but perhaps the dining. Thanks again!

 

 

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Edited January 26, 2015 by cruisin' 4 fun

[cesaravelez]

Its a Party Ship,we love it,been on her twice.its a great choice

[Cruzaholic41]

Thank you for your responses. I'm looking to relax while on the ship and some excursions while in port. I'm concerned about dining. On my last solo I dined with 8 other members from the roll call. I would like to dine with others if possible. Not really sure how the Freestyle dining works and what is "Great Outdoors"? I'm ok with relaxing out in the public areas. Thinking the Sky will work perfectly except for everything but perhaps the dining. Thanks again!

 

In your case, I recommend booking the Majesty of the Seas instead. It'll suit your dining desires better, and it has a better itinerary.

[CatchaWave42]

I cruised solo in August 2013. I booked an aft balcony suite and paid for it all and loved it. I took a Nook with me to dinner and read while I ate. I did everything alone and loved it. I bought several bottle of wine and drank them at the Plantation Club and stored them there ( no problem) Very relaxing.

[Valen9]

I'm concerned about dining. On my last solo I dined with 8 other members from the roll call. I would like to dine with others if possible. Not really sure how the Freestyle dining works and what is "Great Outdoors"?

 

Freestyle dining means that you dine when and where you want. You pick the place and ask for a table -- if it is busy they will give you a beeper, just like a land-based restaurant.

 

There was a solo gathering on the schedule on the first night. That's a good place to meet up with other solos and perhaps organize a dinner group. I was't looking for companions this trip so I can't report how that works.

 

The Great Outdoors is outside deck area on the back of the ship, aft of the buffet. It has a small buffet, a bar, and a lot of seating, with a large canopy to keep the sun off if you don't want it. The railings around it are lower than in the pool area and it has a great view over the aft railing. Since I was sailing to get away from cold weather, I really enjoyed being outside when it's not too warm and not cold at all.

[Cruiser Bruiser]

Thank you for your responses. I'm looking to relax while on the ship and some excursions while in port. I'm concerned about dining. On my last solo I dined with 8 other members from the roll call. I would like to dine with others if possible. Not really sure how the Freestyle dining works and what is "Great Outdoors"? I'm ok with relaxing out in the public areas. Thinking the Sky will work perfectly except for everything but perhaps the dining. Thanks again!

 

I have sailed Norwegian a lot. I have sailed solo, and I've sailed the Sky. I would highly recommend the Sky to you. The crew on the Sky are great, and as mentioned, it's a short-run party ship. That's good, because the vibe on the ship is great. Entertainment (if they still have Oh What a Night" is comparable to other Norwegian ships. Compared with the RCI ship that does that run, Sky is much newer. Plus, Norwegian just took ownership of Sky and invested a lot in extra maintenance the last couple of years.

 

Do participate in the singles activities, as they are a great way to meet people. They will be listed in the Freestyle Daily. You shouldn't have any troubles with seating in any restaurants. With Norwegian there are no set dining times. You eat where you want when you want. Because of this, Norwegian's restaurants have many more smaller tables than other cruise lines. You can sit alone if you like, or ask to be seated with a group.

 

I hope you give it a try! :)

[cruisin' 4 fun]

Thanks everyone for your input. I think I will try it. Looking for something different from RCI. We only live once, why not go for it:)

 

 

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[BLE_1]

Thinking about my 14th total cruise but 2nd solo. All have been on RCCL' date=' Carnival or Disney. Considering the Sky for a 4 day Bahamas cruise to Grand Bahama, Nassau and Great Stirup Cay. Price is great wondering what people think about the ship? Anyone have some input?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app[/quote']

 

I'm also looking at this ship for a solo cruise in April. Seeing the responses and your post from January, I'm curious if you've already booked the SKY and sailed yet? And if so, how was the experience?

[Nola26]

I sailed solo the day after Thanksgiving so the shorter itinerary. Really enjoyed the ship and crew. I'm comfortable solo and didn't connect with the solo meet up. I dined solo in MDRs for dinners and buffet at other times, all good meals.

 

I play basketball and had fun with that one day. I walked in Nassau did light shopping and visited the National Art Gallery to see an exhibit I'd researched prior to the trip.

 

I enjoy the casino and that's an easy solo activity. I danced at the fun white hot party and enjoyed the piano player events in Captain Cook's. I didn't enjoy the stage show but the atrium performer was great.

 

Go and enjoy.

[cruisin' 4 fun]

I'm also looking at this ship for a solo cruise in April. Seeing the responses and your post from January, I'm curious if you've already booked the SKY and sailed yet? And if so, how was the experience?

 

 

I did book for Dec of this year. So I can't tell you about it yet. I'm excited about the new ship(for me) still a little unsure about the dining alone with the free style dining. But not enough to deter me from booking. So if you do book and go in April you'll need to come back and give me an update. I say just go for it!!!

[Nola26]

I did book for Dec of this year. So I can't tell you about it yet. I'm excited about the new ship(for me) still a little unsure about the dining alone with the free style dining. But not enough to deter me from booking. So if you do book and go in April you'll need to come back and give me an update. I say just go for it!!!

 

There is a singles/solo meet up listed in the daily so try to find/attend that. I looked for it but either didn't find it or missed it. In any event Freestyle without needing to match anyone else's opinion suited me just fine on the short cruise. On a longer cruise I may put more effort into connecting with people.