Sky Princess Review

First Week Great Until....

Review for the Arctic Cruise on Sky Princess
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Melissa80
6-10 Cruises • Age 80s

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Sail Date: May 2023
Cabin: Suite with Balcony

It was my dream to see the dancing lights of Norway and Iceland. Therefore, this was my birthday and anniversary trip. The first week was wonderful. Sky Princess is well maintained and a lovely ship with great service, friendly and efficient staff. We had a full suite which was perfect for a two-week cruise. Having free laundry and pressing service was a real plus so it is not necessary to carry so many clothes. It also allows for concierge privileges which means food and drinks are always available. They do adhere to the formal dress code which is truly great. When they say formal, tuxedos, white dinner jackets, black suits, formal dresses are everywhere. That's really refreshing! It isn't necessary to buy anything other than the standard package. Just purchase the Medallion Wi-Fi, get an international calling service for around $120, and you are set. The full suites are always stocked with water and drinks. We bought the water package that was a waste. Unless you want a plethora of specialty coffees, ice creams, liquors, etc., you'll be paying anywhere from $60-$80 a day per person just for that privilege. For an up charge of $70 for two, the specialty restaurants are available. The full suite is worth every penny for the space and concierge to arrange shows, transportation, reserved dining with priority seating--you don't have to wait, etc. Now for the downside. Don't go into spaces such as the buffet as I am quite sure that is where we got Covid-19. (If you want food and the dining rooms are closed, order from any restaurant for room service.) There are too many people who are standing over the food; who knows what diseases people are carrying? The food is handled by passengers rather than served by staff who are so busy that they can't watch the food constantly. Once you are diagnosed with Covid, you become a prisoner in your cabin. The food is limited to a special menu with few choices--and no, you can't order from just any restaurant, there is no twice daily cleaning service or changing of linens every day, you must ask for towels, and the dirty dishes stack up inside and outside the door. It becomes a nightmare. On our particular trip, the weather prevented us from going to the ports scheduled in Iceland. Of the two we visited, one only had 600 residents, and all but two stores were closed. It was a lost day. We were sick and couldn't attend the other port. The captain scrapped the rest of the ports and headed back to London. The ship stopped twice to have sick patients airlifted off the vessel. Because the ship was overrun with Covid, during one of his scheduled trips to the medical center, my husband was moved into a storage room with the door shut behind him. After an hour waiting among the supplies, he starting yelling for someone thinking he had been forgotten. He needed to be hospitalized himself. The medical staff was faced with an almost impossible situation. But, why was he taken out of his room and put in a closet? Wow! After being hospitalized once home for a week, he is still positive and on oxygen. Also, unless you want a fancy bracelet or necklace to give to grandchildren, skip them. The lanyard with the medallion was what most people wore and made every transaction easy plus unlocked your door as well as the concierge lounge/and card 7/24. That would have saved another nearly $70. I believe in cutting cost where necessary without cutting convenience and comfort.

Cabin Review

Suite with Balcony

Very nice and spacious. Bathroom is split and has a sink in each part. It is not built to accommodate wheelchairs. They may have appropriate rooms, but not in ours.

Port Reviews

Skjolden

We went to see the Northern Lights over Iceland and Norway which never happened; okay tour, but we did get a taste of what we had seen in the rest of the Baltic region. We saw the Stave Church and had our bus ferried across the fiord; otherwise, rather uneventful.

Alesund

Great tour and tour guide who had a mohawk...he was funny, very knowledgeable. We really enjoyed seeing this city via bus. The very best point to see the city is from the top of the mountain. Beautiful city!

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