Norwegian Sky Review
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I usually sail RCI; however this time it was a 4 day Bahamas sailing on NCL Sky over the Thanksgiving holiday. Ship was completely full with 2300 pax. Ships listed DO occupancy is 2002, so many of the extra pull out bunks were in use. Of the 2300, 500 were under 21. Yet in spite of the numbers I encountered no problems with crowding except around the pool and at evening entertainment shows where if you were late, you stood.
Embarkation in Miami was extremely easy - just a walk thru it seemed. All lines now seemingly have this down to a science. Once on board you could go to the buffet area, or the main dining room where a full lunch was served. I had calamari for my 1st course, and an excellent steak and chips for the main course. All too many cruise lines do not open their main dining room at lunch on embarkation day, but NCL does. To my balcony room at 2 pm. It was rather small, plain, and showing wear, and I was glad I was a "single" for two would have been crowded, and if there were also two children occupying the "pull out couch (it was listed as a family suite for 4), it would have been ridiculously overcrowded to the point of not being able to "move". It was less than 200 sq ft plus balcony with the usual two chairs and small table. Although my needs were taken care of the steward was, shall we say, disinterested. At 4:30 pm the usual Safety Drill which lasted 10 min. and at which the Captain didn't even welcome us aboard. As a matter of fact the Captain didn't say a word on the P.A. system until Thanksgiving Day when he announced that he was cancelling the call to their private island, Great Stirrup Cay, due to high winds and seas.
Later on embarcation evening I asked about receiving Platinum Benefits as a past pax., and was told that NO benefits are available on these "short cruises". This is contrary to what NCL's website says which only shows that the Welcome Back Party is not held on Epic and Sky. As a result I would not receive my complimentary meal/wine in Le Bistro, free laundry etc. I will talk with NCL about that.