Need a break from all the gloom and doom? Exhausted after the elections? A quick Bahamas getaway - at a spectacular price - can be yours on NORWEGIAN SKY.

NCL returns to its roots with the arrival of NORWEGIAN SKY into the 3 & 4 day Miami cruise market. Way back in 1966 the company inaugurated service from the fledgling Port of Miami with its little SUNWARD. Today, its primary Bahamas competitors are RCI's MAJESTY OF THE SEAS, and CARNIVAL IMAGINATION. In this service, NCL offers the newest ship with the highest percentage of balcony cabins and the most multiple dining venues. NORWEGIAN SKY has an interesting history. She was originally ordered for Costa to become their COSTA OLYMPIA. A dispute led to the unfinished ship being sold to NCL, who launched her as NORWEGIAN SKY. Then, when NCL began its NCL America brand for Hawaiian service, she was transferred and renamed PRIDE OF ALOHA. That service has been less-than-successful, as only one of the original three ships remains. This year the PRIDE was renamed the SKY and relocated to Miami to begin its new 3 & 4 day itineraries. Note: November 10-14 sailing. As I live in the south Florida area, getting to the SKY was a breeze. Parking at the Port of Miami is $20 per day, and credit cards are accepted. Check-in was very smooth, having arrived at 2pm after the majority of the crowds had already boarded. Upon arrival, you are greeted with a glass of champagne or juice, but otherwise left to your own devices when it comes to finding your cabin.

In addition to the unheard-of price, NCL was offering a multiple-category upgrade, so I booked a guarantee. Basically the guarantee translated into moving 3 cabin categories to an identical cabin on the same deck, but into what could be perceived as a more desirable location. Cabin 4005 offered a very large porthole, and was awash in Hawaiian colors, which are equally at home on a Bahamas sailing. While small compared to, say, a Carnival stateroom, the cabin was more than adequate for 2, although drawer space is at a premium. The new NCL bedding was very inviting-looking and proved to be quite comfortable. Read more