Review: Norwegian Sky

What exactly does it mean to ‘Cruise like a Norwegian’? I’m spending a week discovering what this term means aboard the Norwegian Sky in the Bahamas.

Embarking the vessel formerly known as Pride of Aloha in stormy Miami, I am impressed with the streamlined operation at the port and am escorted swiftly aboard the ship.

Having expected much warmer weather this time of the year, I’m disappointed to find the storm getting progressively worse, but that didn’t stop some die hard cruisers relaxing in the hot tubs and pool as my guest and I enjoyed our first cocktail pre-Sailaway.

If you’ve ever read my cruising ‘On Locations’ before, you would know that I have some bad luck when it comes to selecting my cruising companions as they all have a tendency to get sea sick. This is finally not an issue with this particular sailing buddy, Doug Parker of Cruise Radio fame.

With four metre swells predicted as we sail toward Freeport, this is a very positive thing in my books!

We check into our oceanview cabin on deck nine which is, luckily, more spacious than I expected, with my three suitcases taking up a majority of the room, unfortunately for Doug. Thems the breaks when cruising with this addict though!

A tradition for both of us it seems, is participating in the pub crawl and the popular activity is off and ready to go at 6pm just after sailaway.

The perfect choice for a solo cruiser, or those wishing to make friends quickly, the ‘pub hoppers’ started at ‘Breakers Bar’ and we play drinking games throughout the ship as we discover who is the best at ‘sucky sucky’ (don’t ask) and ‘tip cup.

Cocktails including the ‘Alien Orgasm’ and ‘Bahama Mama’ are served for the bargain price of USD$25 (for one beer and four cocktails) and we meet the most entertaining fellow passenger from the mid-West.

Being a fan of spending time onboard a ship when sailing, I selected our first port of call, Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, to relax on deck and get to know the Norwegian Sky a little bit better.

Freeport is very much an industrial port in the Bahamas, so it seemed quite fitting to just have a stroll around the port and straw market rather than venture into town or on a shore excursion.

The port offers inexpensive wifi, souvenir shopping (including a Harley Davidson store) and several bars for those passengers who want a change of scenery from the usual bars onboard.

Back on the ship, a full day’s activities are planned including ‘Name That Tune’ and the ever-popular crowning of ‘Miss Norwegian Sky’.

Passengers gathered poolside as a group of women showed off their ‘assets’ to a judging panel of eager men, with the hope to receive the coveted crown.

There was a talent component (read: the opportunity to jiggle and writhe for the judges) and the fashion parade (read: coming up with the best way to rip your towel off provocatively) as the crowd whooped, cheered and sometimes grimaced their way to the end of the competition.

All in good fun, Miss Norwegian Sky was crowned and we were relinquished to get ready for an elegant casual night at sea.

While Doug tried his luck at ‘Deal or No Deal’, I join my new Aussie friends Izzy and Jarrod for dinner in the main dining room, the Palace.

It’s always such a novelty to hear the Aussie accent aboard a ship overseas and my newfound friends and I relish in our Aussie-ness and small world stories over a delectable dinner.

The night is very young though and Stardust Showtime beckons us with the electrifying “Get on Your Feet” – the Gloria Estefan tribute show.

Whether it was the cocktails or actual skill, the talented and energetic Elvy Rose with JC Crazy and the Bomba Band have Izzy and I out of our seats and salsaing like we’ve never salsa’d before.

Elvy gives Gloria a run for her money and my newfound friends and I are keen to showcase our latin dancing at Dazzles Nightclub.

Not before ‘Dancing with the Sky Stars’ though, a very popular game where passengers join the cruise staff in a parody of the television show.

Regardless of the myriad of ports visited by cruise lines, my favourite always remains the same…a tropical island. Give me sunshine and a postcard perfect beach and I am in heaven!

Clichéd perhaps, but Norwegian’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamian archipelago, really was a little taste of paradise.

After the inclement weather we had experienced thus far, the perfect blue skies were more welcome than ever…the sunshine seemed to only be positioned above us though…not that anyone was complaining!

Recently ravaged by Hurricane Rina, Great Stirrup Cay has undergone developments to bring it ahead of its former glory and is definitely well on its way of getting there.

Still partly under construction, the island is stunning. Pure white sand and crystal blue water welcomes us and there are plenty of sun lounges which is always a positive!

A variety of activities and rentals are normally available on the island but, unfortunately, many weren’t operating due to it being too windy, a claim which surprised us because it seemed awfully calm.

Activities normally offered on Great Stirrup Cay include a 40-foot high Hippo Water Slide, wave runner tour, massages, parasailing, snorkelling, a private island kayak tour and an eco-adventure  boat tour.

There are also usually floating mats, loungers and party floats available for rental but not even these were on offer.

I was more than happy relaxing in the water however and lying by the

beach for the day with new friends was my idea of bliss after such awful weather!

It was time to get my tan on and, in hindsight; I probably shouldn’t have discounted the Bahamian sun as I actually got my burn on…my near third degree burn!

The ship organised a vast buffet lunch on the island at the Jumbey Beach Grill that was very impressive!

As well as the generic burgers and hot dogs, there was an array of salads, Mexican, Italian and Asian fare, along with a dessert buffet to rival the onboard offering!

Open until 2pm, we worked our way back to the buffet several times…

Bertram’s Bar, Bobolink Beach Bar and the Lighthouse Beach Bar were

fully stocked with alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages and my mid-west friends were impressed that the soda packages purchased onboard were redeemable on the island as well.

Waiters paraded the beach regularly enough that we rarely had to walk to a bar and the ability to charge to your onboard account was very handy.

Piña Coladas served in souvenir glasses buried in huge coconuts were the drink du jour and the frozen treats kept us cool on what had become a very hot day.

Beach volleyball was quite popular with the Miami boys and we spent some time exploring the other side of our private island which was laden with pristine lagoons and rock formations.

The mid-west kids, Mallorie and RJ, split their time between swimming, building sand castles, having their faces painted and making jewellery at the Kid’s Crew area…there might have been a few adults participating in the activities there as well though!

Cabanas on the Cay is Norwegian’s latest development on the island, which I believe will offer passengers the opportunity to hire air conditioned cabanas for the day located on the quieter side of the island, similar to the offering at Mahogany Bay in Roatan, Honduras.

The location is picture perfect and I look forward to seeing the cabanas once they are completed.

For now though, it was time to return to the ship to get ready for the famed White Hot Party on deck that night.

Whilst I’m not averse to tendering (the waiting can become tedious but I love seeing the ship from the perspective of the water below), catching one of the last tenders is supremely frustrating, especially in the burning sun.

We waited 40 minutes under full sun, actually sitting on the tender, while the crew loaded up stock from the island. I would have thought that it may have been a better idea to utilize a non-passenger filled tender for crew and supplies as it wasn’t the most comfortable of

situations to be in.

Nevertheless the White Hot Party was upon us…right after I had dinner with the Captain!

Having seen “The Love Boat’s” Captain Stubing sit down to dinner with passengers on every episode of that old fave show of mine, I was longing for the day to get asked by a Captain to dinner myself. The time was nigh and I was suitably chuffed!

After such a jam packed day and night in Great Stirrup Cay, I was relatively glad I didn’t have too much planned for my day in Nassau, a sleep in was very much needed!

Famed for its tax and duty free shopping, this port is the ideal place to purchase jewellery, watches…and cocktails…lots of them, courtesy of portside bar Senor Frog’s.

Not usually one to shy away from a party, the festivities of the night before were still ringing in my ears and I chose to watch the drinking games from the sidelines with a healthy (and spicy) fresh serving of conch salad.

You can’t get any fresher than conch salad at Senor Frog’s I tell you…caught right in front of me and whipped up with tomato, cucumber, peppers, onions and a healthy serving of chilli, that conch salad was well worth the 45 minute wait!

I devour my USD$16 salad and enjoy the debauchery that the Miami boys have decided to participate in.

What started as a simple ‘Name That Tune’ competition quickly turned into a scream fest as people from around the world try to get their song title in for the chance to have shots poured down their throats (and inevitably also down their clothes).

Perhaps I liked my dress too much or perhaps the idea of more alcohol (albeit free) just overwhelmed me, but watching on the sidelines was more than enough excitement for this girl!

The Miami boys were going strong though and even beating the Aussies that had congregated from another ship to play the game as well.

I leave the screams of laughter and wolf whistles of Senor Frog’s behind and retire to the ship to savour the sunshine and lie by the pool with a soft serve ice cream ahead of my interview and bridge tour with Captain Ron.

This is my version of ‘Cruising like a Norwegian’ for the day…relaxation…and lots of it!

Captain Ron welcomes me to his office like an old friend and we delve into his back-story before joining a bridge tour with special guests onboard.

It truly is so nice to have had the chance to spend time with a Captain so dedicated to getting to know his passengers and sharing his stories with the world.

Before I know it though, it’s time to pack…not my favourite activity, especially when I truly did ‘live in’ my cabin. It has to be done though and I get one suitcase out ready for collection before what is sure to be a lovely dinner at specialty restaurant Cagney’s.

Doug and I are guided to our special table smack bang in the centre of the intimate restaurant, which sits amidst what is best described as a fancy rotunda akin to the top

of a wedding cake.

Perfect for those special occasions, I’m certain that many a wedding proposal has been made where we sit, but in our case, it does feel like we’re in the spotlight for dinner!

We attract a few gazes and laugh at the fact that our fellow diners may have the wrong idea about our partnership but know that the meal ahead will be delectable and the intimate setting certainly creates the perfect atmosphere to reflect on our cruise.

Sitting nearby are the ‘miracle twins’ who I have had the honour of getting to know during my sailing.

These gorgeous ten-year old girls truly light up a room and personally

chose this Norwegian Sky cruise as their birthday present from their doting grandparents above all other cruises they could have taken to celebrate the special occasion.

Born several months premature, the petite girls have such character and I relished each time they ran up to me to tell me of their experiences for the day.
From swimming with the dolphins in Freeport to their day at the beach at Great Stirrup Cay, they are self-professed cruise fanatics now and are planning their next cruise with their parents in tow as well.

At only USD$25, the meal at Cagney’s doesn’t disappoint. I select a serving of oysters to start, followed by an Ahi Tuna steak that is so filling I can’t even make it to dessert.

My unfinished Pinot Grigio from dinner the night before is served and I introduce non-wine drinking Doug to an Australian bottle with a Riesling from the Margaret River on the menu.

A very handy option (especially for those sailing solo) when it comes to ordering wine at dinner when cruising, is the ability to tag your wine so that you don’t feel the need to finish it at the one meal.

Your bar waiter will obtain your details and store the wine for you ready for delivery at any restaurant aboard the ship the following evening. This is a much more affordable option than purchasing wine by the glass when sailing.

---

First Time Cruisers Tips

---

Popular Destinations

---