Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Ship: Sky
Room: Balcony/ 10th deck
Time: 3 nights (Friday to Monday)
So, over the Thanksgiving Holiday, Felipe and I decided to go on a little mini-cruise from Miami to the Bahamas. It was three nights. We left Friday and returned Monday morning. It actually worked out because we got on the ship around noon on Friday and then Monday we were still able to go to work. Even though it "worked out," I think in the future I'd want at least a day to recover. The problem is always that I'm lazy . . . aka I don't like doing stuff. I like to do, nothing. When it comes down to it, I can (and will) work hard, but given the choice, I'll choose being lazy . .. sleeping/ reading/napping/etc. errry day. But, I feel like I need to make sure Felipe is having fun, so it adds an unnecessary amount of stress on me. And it is unnecessary because Felipe likes to be lazy too, so there's no reason to feel like this.
DAY 1 - FRIDAY
So, Friday we got to the ship around noon. Even though it doesn't leave until around 5pm, you can get on, drop your bags off at one of the restaurants, and then start enjoying the OPEN BAR + Food!
We got a balcony room and I was really happy we did. I have been on a cruise two times before - once when I was 17 and we had an inside room, and once when I was in my mid-twenties and we had an ocean view room. I wanted a balcony so that if we got seasick we could sit on the balcony, because I feel like having a breeze on you always helps. I was pleasantly surprised with the room, and yes, it was small, but the bed was a queen (two twins pushed together), and we had enough room to move around. The idea --of course-- is that you're not spending a ton of time in the room.
After we set sail, the sun was setting, so, of course, we went on a mission around the boat to get the best sunset pic. Overall, nature never wants to cooperate, so the sunset was okay, but I've definitely seen better when I'm just like, driving down the interstate and can't stop to take a pic, yanno?
We went to dinner in the main dining room; we got there right when it opened around 5:30 so we got a good spot right by the window. I like how Norwegian does its dinner time whenever you want, and you're not at a table with a bunch of randos (which can also be a good thing, depending on what you're looking for in a cruise).
After that, I think we went and took a little nap. Of course, it was around 7pm so Felipe didn't think I'd get back up (can't say I blame him!), but, we did! We went back out around 8 and we ended up spending most of the night in the piano bar, singing with some old peeps, but it was fun. We did go to the "dance club" after that for a little bit, but at that point it was like 1am, and I'd been up since early in the AM, and I just didn't have it in me to stay out any later.
DAY 2 & 3
Day 2: Nassau
Day 3: At Sea (supposed to be on Norwegian's private island).
Not gonna lie, I was hungover when we woke up on the second day. I had wanted to get up and watch the sunrise, but that didn't work, but I did manage to snap a good pic from our balcony before the other cruise ships started coming in.
I wasn't too enthused about Nassau, I was more interested in the private island. The last time I was on a cruise from Port Canaveral, we stopped in Nassau and Bridget & I took a ferry (?) to Paradise Beach? TBH I don't even remember how we got there and if that's where we went, but I remember we were on the beach next to the Atlantis Resort. So, we could've done something like that on this day but Felipe is not really a huge beach person (and neither am I, tbh), and I thought we were gonna have a big beach day on Sunday.
We didn't end up getting off the boat until prob around noon and had to be back by 4:30. We went to Senor Frogs for a drink and then were heading back to the ship when we stopped in a cool, pirate-themed brewery and watched the end of the Michigan / Ohio game.
When we got back on the ship we ate dinner and then had a low-key night. I think NCL was trying to punk us though because all the movies they were showing were like movies about shipwrecks - In the Heart of the Sea, The Finest Hours, etc.
The last day, like I said, they cancelled the private island day. They said it was too rough to tender over, but, tbh, unless we're going over in a little zodiac boat (we're not), no it wasn't. I am a little cynical of everything and I felt like, I know they're doing renovs on the island and I just felt like they didn't want us over there.
But, we had a relaxing day. I sat on the balcony and worked on my book for awhile, drank several mimosas. We went to watch football in one of the bars at one point (FYI, they didn't show any college football on Saturday which I thought was really surprising/annoying, and I'd be interested to know if all their ships are like that -- for Felipe, not me, obvi). I also went to the spa and got my hair blown out, which, on the advertisement it said $35. When my check came it said $49 (long hair). That was really annoying to me, because they should definitely let a person know that it's going to be a different price than advertised. But, it was worth it to me bc my hair is so thick that if I'd had to do it myself in our room it would've taken me hours (not joking).
We also spent some time in the Casino, which never ends well for me, but Felipe won a couple hundred bucks on roulette! And I lasted awhile on blackjack, so that is always surprising!
DAY 4- Debarkation
Monday was our debarkation day. The agenda we had (oh yeah, they give you a print out of all the stuff happening at all times on the ship! Super helpful!) said that we could get off starting at 7:45. This was a little late for us because Felipe has to be to work at 8, and me around 9. But, they ended up announcing at 7:30 that we could get off and it was super quick to get off and clear customs. From there, we both took taxis to work and I was exhausted for the whole day! haha!
Overall
I had a really good time and I'd definitely do another cruise, especially if we could find one for the same length that has a good deal. I'm definitely gonna be on the lookout during "slow" times because I bet we could get it really good deal. It was also good because neither one of us got sea sick except for a little bit on the last night, we could "feel" the ship moving, but it wasn't too bad.
Have you ever gone on a cruise? Would you?
