Norwegian Sky - - Profile and Photo Tour

What impressed me the most about Norwegian Sky was how nicely NCL has blended the elements of its Freestyle Cruising into the more traditional passenger ship décor of the ship. I tend to associate Freestyle with the contemporary décor of NCL’s more recent ships. However, the idea of having a number of alternative venues for dining, libations and activities fits well with the more classic design. As proof, the Sky has six restaurants, nine bars and lounges a theater, two swimming pools, five hot tubs, basketball and volleyball, golf driving nets, a library, shopping and more.




For people who really like ships and the traditions of the sea, there are some quite nice rooms including Captain Cook’s Bar and the wood-panels Mark Twain Library. The French specialty restaurant Le Bistro is done in a pretty Second Empire/art nouveau style.



This is not to say that Norwegian Sky is old or old fashioned. Her lines are sleek and her mural-painted white hull glitters in the bright sun. The ship entered service in 1999 and is the newest ship competing in the short cruises from Florida to the Bahamas market. For awhile, NCL assigned her to its NCL America subsidiary where she did cruises around Hawaii under the name Pride of Aloha. Before returning her to the main fleet in 2009, the ship received a multi-million dollar refurbishment. As a result, the public areas look new.



The short Bahamas cruise itinerary is a popular one. It attracts young people and young families interested in trying cruising for the first time, visitors to Florida who want to add a trip to the Bahamas to their holiday, and people who want a short break.



The Sky offers alternating three and four day cruises from Miami. The three day itinerary goes to Nassau and to NCL’s private island Great Stirrup Cay. The four day cruise adds a stop in Freeport.

Beyondship’s profile of Norwegian Sky is at http://www.beyondships.com/NCLSky.html and the multi-page photo tour and commentary begins at http://www.beyondships.com/NCLSky-Tour-1.html For those interest in the ship’s itinerary, we also have a photo tour of Great Stirrup Cay http://www.beyondships.com/NCL-GreatStirrupCay.html