Norwegian Sky – Permission To Come Aboard!

“Welcome Aboard!”

That’s the greeting we heard from three crew members dressed in white as we wheeled our bags up the gangway toward the beautiful Norwegian Sky. And let me add…those words were music to this old seafaring Meemaw’s ears! It felt great to be back aboard a beautiful ship.

It was shortly after Noon when we came aboard, and the staff invited us to enjoy lunch. We could choose from a full lunch buffet, or pizza or a hamburger, or we could opt for a sit down formal lunch in the Palace Dining Room. I bet you can guess which option I chose! (I LOVE formal dining…for breakfast, lunch or dinner!)

But what about the luggage we had “schlepped” onboard ourselves? Remember the bag tags I had added at the last minute before leaving home?

Turns out adding those tags was a great move. The NCL staff simply directed to one of the lounges adjoining the dining room. We simply left our carry-on bags with staff members while we dined. It worked out beautifully!

Lunch In The Palace Dining Room

As we approached the dining room podium, the maitre d’ asked if we would like to be seated with other guests. I was quick to say yes. Meeting other passengers is always a highlight of cruising for me. (Do keep in mind there are many tables for two if you prefer to dine alone.)

One of my childhood nicknames was “Chatty Patty” so we were happy to join other guests who had just been seated at a round table by the huge picture windows. It was a wonderful lunch shared with Toni and Keith from Cleveland, and David, from the Washington D.C. area. our conversation made the delicious lunch that much better! And that chance meeting made all of us feel like old friends whenever we saw each other during our cruise. (We had unknowingly even signed up for the same walking tour of Havana.) 

Shipboard dining has always been a true cruising highlight for me, and the level of white glove service is something I totally appreciate.

I chose soup and a salad for a light lunch, and the crab bisque was creamy and warm. (Not the best I’ve had, but served beautifully.)

I totally enjoyed my delicious Greek salad topped with salty feta cheese and kalamata olives.

Our new friend and table mate Toni allowed me to take a photo of her lunch selection. She chose a poached salmon entree to which she gave two thumbs up.

Even the house wines are complimentary on the Norwegian Sky, so I enjoyed a glass of Cabernet with my light lunch.

Who in the world would prefer standing in line for a hamburger or pizza when THIS is an option? Hmm…to each his own My Dear Readers!

Just as we finished our enjoyable lunch with our new friends an announcement was made over the loudspeaker. All cabins were ready for guests, so we reclaimed our carry on bags from the lounge and we headed off to find our room. We were especially glad we brought our own bags aboard when we learned that it might be as late as 8pm before all bags would be delivered to all guests!

Meemaw’s Advice? Carry on your luggage if you can so you’ll have access right away! 

(That late bag delivery time explained why we saw some folks still wearing jeans and sweaters in the tropical heat and even at dinner that night.)

And about that luggage being delivered? This was the scene as we made our way to our cabin after lunch. Can you imagine hauling all of that luggage aboard? The crew works VERY hard…and they always greet guests with a smile. 

Welcome Aboard – Our Cabin 

When I booked our cruise I booked our cabin as an Ocean View Guarantee. That meant we would not know the exact location of our cabin at the time of booking, but we would be guaranteed an ocean view room or better. The only downside to that method is that the guest has no choice in where the ocean view room is located. It could be all the way forward or aft. It could be in the bowels of the ship or a suite with a balcony. It’s a roll of the dice. 

I used to tell my cruise clients to think of an Oreo cookie, and to pick a cabin smack dab in the middle of the cream filling. For the smoothest “smooth sailing” location, pick a cabin in the middle of the ship in the middle of the decks. But if you’re trying to save money (like we always are these days!) you can take your chances, spend less, and book a Guarantee.

I was a little disappointed when we were assigned a cabin with a porthole instead of a picture window. That is, until we got to our room. 

Our porthole was HUGE! Not like the little ones on older ships. 

Welcome Aboard -Cabin Amenities 

Most cruise cabins are small…unless you’re booking a high end suite. Be prepared for close quarters when you come aboard. Most cabins are not like the old Love Boat show portrayed them to be!

(Yes…I met Gavin MacLeod years ago at a cruise conference.) 

You can check out all the various types of accomodations right HERE on NCL’s website.

Here is the combination dresser, refrigerator, TV stand, dressing table and desk. Whew!! 

There is very little drawer space, and electrical outlets are scarce. But we made it work. And there is a safe in the small closet to store your passports and other valuables.

 

The closed circuit TV offers nonstop shipboard information as well as the most popular channels you’ll find on land. It also offers a camera view from the bridge. (That’s ship talk for where the steering wheel is located!) If you happen to book an Inside room (that’s a room with no window…just a curtain on the wall) you can turn your TV station to the Bridge to see what the weather is like before you choose your outfit for the day! Like this…

The bathroom was incredibly small…but adequate.

At least until you splurge on those desserts at dinner and then try to fit in the shower!

Just don’t drop anything while you’re in there…or you might hit your head on the wall when you bend over. Like I did. Just sayin’.

We had a small couch in the room, but we really used it as a place to stack our clothes. 

Meemaw’s Suggestions

1. Take a small Power Strip along (if allowed by the cruise line) since there may be a shortage of electrical outlets in each cabin.
2. Take a Brita pitcher and water filter along if you have room in your luggage since bottled water is expensive onboard. (Some cruise lines allow you to bring your own bottled water but others don’t. Check with the cruise line.)

Cheers! At the Great Outdoor Bar

After a quick “tour” of our cabin we headed back up to Deck 11 Aft to enjoy the beautiful afternoon. And I couldn’t wait to order my favorite shipboard sailaway beverage…A Miami Vice!

It’s a frozen concoction bartender Vincent was quick to oblige, and that drink tasted just as good as I remembered. (More about Vincent in a later post. He is a gem.)

That view of the Miami skyline was as gorgeous as I remembered from years gone by…

And that outdoor restaurant and bar became one of our favorite spots aboard the Norwegian Sky.

It’s a great place for people watching while sipping a frozen drink.

And speaking of drinks…all guest services shut down at 3:45pm for the Mandatory Life Boat Drill that commenced at 4:15pm. That drill IS mandatory–no exceptions. 

Mandatory Life Boat Drill

In the old days we would head to our cabins to fetch our life vests when the horn blew. Then we would head to our muster stations to stand at attention until EVERY guest was accounted for. Here is a photo from my old cruising days. Not sure where it was, but this might have been in Alaska. Look at those gorgeous teak deck chairs!

These days, our muster station was even printed on our boarding cards! (See the letter L?)

And these days we weren’t required to wear our life jackets. And in 85 degree weather that was fine with all of us.

Only the crew members were required to put on their vests. 

Then the crew checked off each and every cabin number to make sure we were ALL in attendance at the mandatory drill.

When all passengers had been accounted for we were dismissed to watch as the lines were untied and the ship began it’s slow sail out of the harbor.

It had been an exciting day so far, but we were ready for a little rest and relaxation before dinner. So we headed to our air conditioned cabin for a late afternoon nap before dinner.

And wait until I tell you what woke me from my peaceful slumber! (It was an unusual sound I instantly remembered from my cruise days gone by.)

So stay tuned…and Bon Voyage!