Norwegian Sky Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Overall: Remember: this is a Cuba cruise. It is not by any means a typical Norwegian cruise. You’re paying to go to Cuba in a fun way. Period. With that in mind, there will be fewer disappointments.
Embarkation: our plane from LGA was delayed about an hour, so we got to the pier later than expected, but definitely not too late. We’d taken Norwegian’s shuttle from the airport and everything went seamlessly. In fact, we were the only two passengers on the bus! Twenty minutes later, the very nice driver dropped us off and gave us our luggage. At no time were we approached or directed by any Norwegian personnel or asked for our bags. After passing some tough-looking security ladies, we literally had to drag our belongings up a set of stairs, dressed for New York early spring, in the humid Miami midday heat. Through the metal detectors and on line to check in with only three people ahead of us. We got our room keys and necessary documents within minutes and were directed to the gangway. Still, no one offered to check our bags. Having traveled with Norwegian five or six times before -including out of Miami- I found this highly unusual. It’s very hot, winter coat in hand, struggling with carry-on and pulling the main bags, all the while being asked for the key cards and being sprayed with that awful bug spray. But that’s ok...at least we can go right to our room and unpack and change and freshen up. We can handle the bags, it’s just that that had ever happened before on any Norwegian Cruise. Our concern was for the lady behind us, though, as she was alone and appeared to be in her eighties. Clearly, she was suffering in the heat. I offered her a hand, but a sympathetic security guard came out of the shadows and directed her to the elevator. Anyhow, point being: if you’re on the late side, check in is super easy, but be warned: you may be on your own.
The Cabin: see below
Cabin Review
Balcony
The cabin was very small and dated. You should understand that the ship -second oldest in the Norwegian fleet- was built in 1999 and refurbished in 2012 or 13; we knew that going in, so we’re not particularly disappointed. Luckily, I brought a power strip along to keep the devices charged and you should do so, too: there’s only one outlet in the room. The shower area is able the same size as the one on the space shuttle, so be prepared for that. I imagine that it could be challenging or even downright dangerous, particularly for an older person, to pick up a dropped bar of soap. Speaking of which, the scent of the soap Norwegian uses, along with its matching lotion, is very nice. However, you’ll find it easier to buy a gun on the streets of Miami than you will to get the staff to load you up with soap. I asked a couple of times, got one bar of soap and one lotion on Day 1and then never again. We had to make due with the liquid body wash. Life is tough, isn’t it? This particular cabin, by the way, is located on the 10th floor, under the pool and Garden Café area. On past cruises, we’ve had similar rooms and were awakened daily at 4:30am to the sound of scraping lounge chairs -the same chairs that you’ll rarely get to sit on during a sunny sea day- as the midnight staff set them in place for the day ahead. This cruise, though, was silent overhead. You should know, though, that other rooms on the 10th floor could easily turn a decent cruise a trip from hell. Check the map when choosing a room. And remember: any choice of cabin in the ‘sailaway’ Category has the chance of ruining your vacation. I know it’s cheaper, but you’re taking a chance. Cruise lines are very aware of every nickel and dime and give little away for no reason.