Norwegian Sky Review

Norwegian cruise but not like a Viking

Review for the Bahamas Cruise on Norwegian Sky
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bbnels
First Time Cruiser • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Jul 2009
Cabin: Oceanview Picture Window
Traveled with children

On my first cruise ever with my wife. Called the Cruise line specialist to book my cruise after looking on the internet to search for the best deal . This made for a great treat...2 bottles of free wine( one at dinner and one in the room and chocolate covered strawberries ... a really nice touch. She was very helpful.I was concerned at check in that the pier station looked worn out . I was glad to see that once on the ship, it was clean, well maintained and organized. Boarding was a breeze. Disembarking at the end of the cruise was backed up for hours for customs...at least they let us go back to our rooms or any place on the ship to hang out. If you must make a plane trip out...get up early to leave on time.I would have to say Norwegian's best asset are her people...they are friendly, courteous and pay attention to detail. I watched a hostess deal impeccably with a complaint at dinner. When we were seated the 2nd night at the Crossing restaurant we had hoped to be seated next to the window...they got us close but explained the section for where we wanted to sit was not yet open. Two minutes later we were moved to our seat saying we wanted to open it for you to have the view you wanted. We watched the sun set feeling grateful and attended to. Our room was fine with clean linens and attention to detail,,,,except the outside of the porthole window was covered in salt haze...needs cleaning after each trip..  We had an Ocean View room and it provided the view we wanted...be aware the room is very small, but we felt it was just fine. Our steward, Romeo was friendly, left us special details in cleaning our room and never made us feel pressured to leave a tip. Remember you each pay $12 a day for service fee (added on after you pay your initial reservation paid for after the cruise) so when I noticed no one left a tip a t dinner neither did we. We only tipped drink waiters with on board credit card,..no cash. We did leave Romeo $20 because we wanted to.... not out of obligation. The on board entertainment was good. The comedian was great. Although we could have done without the private joke telling session the next day, where cruisers told their own very lousy jokes.The entertaninment Rock and Roll soul began with great flair doing " Sweet Home Alabama" and rousing Billy Joel numbers but it fizzled because the music was not loud enough to be heard in the back...coming from a 50 + old that means crank it up. Also sometimes slow it down a little with something soft.The entertainer dancers and singers were dyanmic and fun with very athletic and skilled dance moves..one singer was off key.Gambling...just did a little blackjack...definitely join the casino club you get $30 in chips for $20 and you get a coupon to use as an ace in black jack...I used it.... drew and ace.... split them and won $50 on one hand.... for a low roller I was happy.The attention to detail in the Palace and Crossings, the free upscale dining choices... was very nice. Meals were tasty and well presented. The only complaint was the lobster was undercooked and one of the dinners had a slightly prepackaged feel. The steak and prime rib were excellent , and the service throughout was at the premiere level..It would be nice if soft drinks were complimentary...coffee and tea are free.A secret to Breakfast.... go the the Adagio, which is usually an Italian extra pay restaurant. In the morning they serve waffles and Omlettes in a quiet setting with excellent views without the noise and commotion of the Garden cafe.Walk around level 6 the jogging walking track for a quiet relaxing view without rails in the way. The private hot tub for adults at the front of the ship was always occupied and often with kids. the hot tubs on the lido deck are cramped...but the young crowd seemed to enjoy all the activity there. Good music and dancing for them. Stern of the ship on level 11 has a very nice quiet bar...with music and dancing at night mostly adult venue.Norwegian needs to drop the Grand Bahamas stop...If you go I have heard take a taxi to Ocean Motion.Bring your own mask and snorkel for the Great stirrup Cay. We pd.$ 35.00 each. You could buy an excellent mask and snorkel for that. Swim fins are not needed. It feels safe and lifeguards help monitor ...it never felt too crowded...just go around the big rock for the best fish...our day there we did not see much..some parrot fish, one barracuda, a lionfish, and many small schools of fish.At Grand Bahamas we went to the beach at Paradise Island  . A beautiful beach ..blue clear water nice white sand. Skip trying to go in Atlantis ...its a rip off $110 ...and they will hassle you for a $30 walk around fee...a real gyp.Just walk around that hotel to go to the beach free. It is $4.00 per person taxi van ride to Paradise island...no problems there. If you see someone selling small green fruit that look like little limes, buy them... they are called ginnups a sweet fleshy fruit you peel to get to a delectable slimy taste. Vendors will hawk you for jetskis, drinks, and boat(banana) rides, but leave you alone once you decline.I would rate Norwegian 3.75 to four stars.

Cabin Review

Oceanview Picture Window

Cabin OB

Small, but very clean and detailed room...excellent steward service. They definitely must clean the salt off the outside of the window after each trip. A true King bed top mattress would be nice not just two doubles put together with pad over top ...crack comes in to play. Shower is small but hot H20 was always available with good towels and soaps. Plenty of cabinet shelves. No noise ever heard except engine shut off at port a t morning.

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