Having cruised on the Norwegian Sky 3 times, I would love to share some great tips on the ship. The Sky sails out of the Port of Miami to the Bahamas twice a week, once for 4 nights and the other for a 3 night weekend getaway. The Sky offers some of the best cruise fares in the business. It is also a good cruise for first time cruisers to see if they enjoy cruising.
Embarkation Day
Your room will be ready around 2 pm. If you plan on going swimming before 2, you might want to bring your swimsuit in a carry on. An announcement will be made over the PA system. At around 4:30, all passengers must report for the muster drill. You do NOT have to bring your life vest to this life you had to in the past. Your luggage will arrive periodically in the afternoon. Sometimes it all comes at once, and other times just one suitcase at a time.
Restaurants for Dinner
The cruising theme of the Sky is “Freestyle”. You can eat wherever you want, at whatever time you want, and where whatever you’d like (well, almost). The dress code at the 2 main dining restaurants is very relaxed. At one, you can wear shorts and a shirt, the other requires pants. Again, they rotate between the two so you will have to check once on board. The no shorts rule is not always enforced. Shorts are not allowed in the 3 specialty restaurants, but jeans are ok. Lobster tails are served one night in the main dining rooms (the menu is the same at both every night, there are daily menus on several places on the ship). The buffet has no dress code. The 3 specialty restaurants offer better service and food, but there is an upcharge for them. The 1st is Il Adagio, an Italian restaurant that cost $10 a person. The 2nd is Le Bistro, a French restaurant that cost $15 a person. The 3rd and final is Cagneys Steakhouse, the finest restaurant on board the Norwegian Sky with an upcharge of $25 a person. Longboard Sports Bar is open until 5 am and serves burgers, wings etc and a great place to catch a game or relax.
Ports of Call
The Sky calls on 3 ports, Freeport Grand Bahama Island, Nassau, and Great Stirrup Cay. The weekend cruise only stops at Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay. Great Stirrup Cay requires tendering. Storms or cold fronts in the winter can make it unsafe to tender. If this is the case, you will have a day at sea and the captain will “find you some sunshine”.
Tips about Cruising on the Norwegian Sky
2. Alcohol is not allowed to be brought on the ship. Don’t try and sneak it in your luggage, the X-ray machines will find it and it will be confiscated until the cruise is over. If you would like to get around this, check out rum runners on eBay
3. There is a quiet library with books for those who like to read. There are also some board games and a daily sudoku puzzle there.
4. Soda is not included in your cruise fare. You can get an unlimited soda card for around $7 a day.
5. 15% gratuity is automatically added on to any drinks that are ordered.
6. Each passenger will be charged $12 a day for tips that is put on their room bill. This includes tips for the waitstaff at lunch/dinner, the kitchen help and your room steward.
7. There are 3 pools are the Sky. A kiddie pool by a hot tub is on deck 12 at the front of the ship. The 2 main pools are saltwater and they are not heated.
8. Cash is not used anywhere on the ship except for tips and in the casino.
