Norwegian Cruise Line

MV Norwegian Sky

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Operator: Norwegian Cruise Line
Year Built / Last Refurbished: 1999 / 2008
Length / Tonnage: 848 / 78,000
Number of Cabins / Passengers: 1001 / 2002
Officers / Crew: Norwegian / International
Operating Area: Year round Bahamas

The Norwegian Sky was built upon the unfinished hull of a former Costa ship. She entered service in August of 1999 and promptly ran aground during one of her initial cruises. Norwegian Sky has more than 240 balcony staterooms, a choice of six different restaurants, 10 bars and lounges, multiple entertainment venues, two pools, extensive children's facilities, a sports deck and a variety of spacious public rooms. Norwegian Sky had been reflagged and renamed Pride of Aloha in 2004 and sailed Hawaii inter-island cruises until May 2008.

The ship recently underwent a two-month wet dock in Freeport, Bahamas and now features a casino and NCL's Freestyle 2.0 enhancements*, the company's fleet-wide initiative to further improve the guest experience across all guest touch points from food and beverage to staterooms.

The focal point of the ship, a towering eight-deck-high glass-domed atrium, features dramatic artworks that spiral throughout the area.

Norwegian Sky has two large outdoor swimming pools with large amounts of deck space, sun beds, deck chairs, a hot tub or two and the longest poolside bar at sea. There are five outdoor hot tubs aboard the Norwegian Sky including one just for the kids. Enjoy them one and all. Just like its name, Splashes Kid's Pool is just right for pint-size splashing and playing. The pool also features a waterfall and a children's hot tub nearby. There is a Jogging/Walking Track Located on Deck 6.

The Stardust Lounge is located on Deck 6 and accommodates 1000. The two-story main show lounge with a stage headlines the major entertainment on the ship and can also be used for large-group meetings by day.

The Internet Cafe is located on Deck 7 and accommodates 9.The Café can also be used as a computer lecture and training center.

Body Waves Spa is located on Deck 11 and can accommodate 30 in rooms. This Balinese Spa offers unique and exotic spa treatments reflecting the beauty, spirit and traditions of rejuvenation from around the world. You'll find everything from the traditional to the exotic in spa and salon treatments. Visit Body Waves Fitness Centerto get your heart rate up using state-of-the-art machines while enjoying a view through floor-to-ceiling windows. In addition, you can participate in aerobics, spinning and exercise classes.

The Galleria Shops are located on Deck 7 and offer a wide selection of brand name and specialty goodies.

The Mark Twain Library is located on Deck 6 and includes a well-stocked selection of things to read with all the elegant trappings Mark Twain himself would have appreciated, including a stellar view.

The recently added Sky Club Casino is locatd on Deck 7 and can accommodate 280. It offers the standard casino games including Roulette, Blackjack, Craps, Caribbean Stud Poker and Let It Ride.

Norwegian Sky features seven restaurants with all new Freestyle 2.0 menus offering expanded choices. In addition, guests will experience lobster in the main restaurant and in every specialty restaurant. New menu selections include broiled lobster tail, 32-ounce porterhouse and Alaskan king crab legs in Cagney's Steakhouse, an NCL guest favorite; and in Le Bistro, NCL's signature French restaurant, guests can choose from the Côte de Boeuf, a 32-ounce premium gold angus rib eye steak; Plateau de Fruits de Mar, a cold seafood platter including mussels, lobster tail, shrimp and raw oysters on the half shell; and Cardinal of the Seas, braised lobster tails. In addition, Norwegian Sky also offers culinary experiences in its two dining rooms: Palace and Crossings; Il Adagio, a casual Italian trattoria; the Garden Café and Great Outdoors, where NCL chefs cook fresh, prepared-to-order food as guests watch.

Guests can enjoy sipping cocktails and dancing the night away in nine signature bars and lounges including a martini bar; a sports bar; a champagne bar; two outdoor bars, as well as Dazzles Bar & Night Club.

Norwegian Sky offers four Owner's Suites complete with a private balcony with hot tub, living room, dining room, bedroom, a luxury bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower along with butler and concierge service to cater to the guests ever whim. Ten Penthouses feature a sitting area, private balcony, dining area, separate bedroom with two lower beds that convert to a queen-size bed and luxury bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower, along with butler service and concierge service.

Also on board are NCL's latest amenities in balcony, oceanview and inside staterooms including televisions, hair dryers, safes, mini-bars, as well as the new Bliss Collection by NCL bedding, Elemis luxury bathroom amenities and a new, expanded room service menu.

With Freestyle 2.0, guests staying in a balcony stateroom or above are treated to a customized fruit menu, NCL insignia bathrobes and a warm chocolate chip cookie at turndown on the last night of the cruise. Those staying in an Owner's Suite or Penthouse are treated to a complimentary bottle of champagne upon arrival, a pillow menu, the Bliss Bed by NCL, customized daily treats, and exclusive meals in Cagney's.

Because NCL has a very active sports program they attract a lot of younger, active people. Passengers here tend to be younger than those aboard corresponding ships of, say...Princess and Holland America.

Norwegian Sky will depart Miami on Mondays sailing four-day Bahamas cruises with full-day stops in Grand Bahama Island, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL's private island in the Bahamas. On Fridays, the ship will sail a weekend getaway three-day Bahamas itinerary, departing Miami at 5 p.m. with all-day stops in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, returning to Miami at 7 a.m. on Monday mornings.

With the introduction of free-style cruising, the newer ships in the NCL fleet have lost some of the warmth of the past. With the wider variety of options it has become increasingly more difficult for the staff to get to know you - and you to get the know the staff and your fellow passengers. If you haven't cruised before, you will probably have a good, if not great time on board the Norwegian Sky. If you are a veteran cruiser, you may find NCL's free-style approach lacking in terms of quality and service.