Norwegian Sky Review: The Cruise That Started Everything
Some cruises are memorable because of the ship.
Some because of the itinerary.
And some because they completely change your life.
For me, the Norwegian Sky was that cruise.
This was my very first cruise ever back in July of 2012, and no matter how many ships I sail in the future, no cruise will ever recreate that feeling again.
That first moment boarding a ship.
That first sail away.
That first time realizing you’re waking up in another country without ever unpacking again.
That magic only happens once.
And the Norwegian Sky gave my mom and me that experience together.
Over the years, I’ve now sailed more than 20 cruises, while my mom has actually sailed even more than I have. Cruising became something much bigger for us than simply taking vacations. It became our thing. Something we share together.
A huge reason why I continue cruising today is because of how happy it makes her.
And it all started aboard the Norwegian Sky.
Quick Verdict
Overall Score: 70/100
Emotional Score?
Much higher than that.
Best For:
- First-time cruisers
- Budget-conscious travelers
- Bahamas weekend getaways
- Travelers who enjoy smaller classic ships
- Nostalgic cruise lovers
- Relaxed casual cruising
Not Ideal For:
- Travelers wanting mega ship attractions
- Guests looking for cutting-edge technology
- Luxury-focused cruisers
- Travelers wanting large modern cabins
- People expecting endless onboard activities
Food Review – 7/10
Looking back objectively, the food aboard the Norwegian Sky was solid overall.
But emotionally?
At the time, it felt incredible.
This was our first cruise. We didn’t have anything else to compare it to yet. We weren’t analyzing specialty restaurants, discussing buffet variety, or comparing cruise dining concepts the way I do now after sailing so many ships.
We were simply enjoying ourselves.
And there’s something refreshing about that.
The buffet was good, the main dining room felt elegant to us, and the service throughout meals was warm and welcoming.
One thing I quickly realized during that first cruise was how relaxing it felt not having to cook, clean, or worry about anything for a few days.
Back then, that alone felt luxurious.
Over the years, we also sailed the Sky again on different itineraries, including Cuba, which became one of the most memorable trips we’ve ever taken together.
Cuba itself felt frozen in time — beautiful, emotional, historic, and unlike anywhere else I’ve ever visited.
And somehow, the Norwegian Sky became permanently connected to those memories too.
Cabin Review – 6/10
Let’s be honest:
The Norwegian Sky is an older ship.
And the cabins absolutely reflect that.
Our first sailing was in an inside stateroom. At the time, balcony cabins simply weren’t financially realistic for us yet.
But honestly?
I still remember sleeping unbelievably well in that room.
Inside cabins have one huge advantage:
Absolute darkness.
You genuinely lose all sense of time inside them, and the sleep quality can be incredible.
The rooms themselves are definitely small and dated by modern standards, especially compared to newer Norwegian ships.
Storage is limited.
Bathrooms are compact.
And there’s very little in the way of modern technology.
But back then, none of that mattered to us.
We were simply excited to be there.
Internet & Technology – 4/10
This is one area where the Sky absolutely shows its age.
The internet was slow even by older cruise standards, and the TV systems were extremely limited.
But during those early cruises, technology honestly mattered far less than it does today.
Social media wasn’t dominating vacations yet the way it does now.
We were too busy exploring the ship, visiting Nassau, walking around Great Stirrup Cay, and simply enjoying the novelty of cruising itself.
Pools, Jacuzzis & Outdoor Areas – 7/10
The outdoor decks aboard the Sky are simple, compact, and very classic in design.
There are two main pools, several jacuzzis, and a small forward pool area that became one of my favorite memories from our very first sailing.
I still remember boarding the ship so excited that I practically jumped into the pool area before even properly preparing for it.
That’s the kind of excitement first cruises create.
Smaller ships like the Sky also preserve a little bit of that older “Love Boat” atmosphere that modern mega ships sometimes lose.
There’s something charming about these older vessels.
They feel connected to an earlier era of cruising that many people still miss.
Activities & Entertainment – 7/10
By modern standards, the entertainment aboard the Sky is fairly basic.
But for us?
It felt magical.
This was the first time we ever experienced cruise ship game shows, comedy performances, live music, and especially the classic Love & Marriage show.
And we absolutely loved it.
I still remember laughing nonstop during those early cruises because everything felt new to us.
Every activity felt exciting simply because we had never experienced cruise ship life before.
That’s the power of a first cruise.
And no matter how many incredible ships I sail in the future, I’ll probably never fully recreate that exact feeling again.
Bars & Lounges – 7/10
The Norwegian Sky actually does a pretty good job with bars and lounges considering her age and size.
There are plenty of places to sit, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the atmosphere without ever feeling overwhelming.
Service at the bars was consistently fast, friendly, and welcoming during our sailings.
And unlike many modern mega ships, smaller ships like the Sky feel easier to navigate and more intimate overall.
Ship Design & Atmosphere – 7/10
The Sky is undeniably old.
The casino feels dated.
The décor reflects late-1990s cruise ship design.
And compared to modern mega ships, the vessel is very basic.
But that’s also part of its charm.
Ships like the Sky remind me of an earlier era of cruising — the kind of cruising people grew up watching on shows like The Love Boat.
There’s a nostalgia to these smaller classic ships that giant floating cities sometimes lose.
And because the ship is smaller, it also feels easier to emotionally connect with the experience itself.
You notice the ocean more.
You feel the movement more.
You feel like you’re truly traveling.
Service – 8/10
The service aboard the Sky always felt warm, friendly, and personal.
And on smaller ships, that personal connection matters even more.
Crew members felt approachable, bartenders remembered people, and the overall atmosphere throughout the cruise felt welcoming.
Looking back, I truly think Norwegian Cruise Line did an excellent job introducing us to cruising through the Sky.
It made us fall in love with this style of travel.
Itinerary & Memories – 10/10
This is where the Norwegian Sky becomes something much bigger than just a ship review.
Because the real magic wasn’t necessarily the ship itself.
It was what the ship represented.
Our first cruise together.
Our first private island.
Our first visit to Nassau.
Our first time seeing Atlantis.
Our first sail away.
Our first realization that cruising would become part of our lives forever.
And later on, our Cuba sailing aboard the Sky became another unforgettable memory entirely.
That’s why this ship will always matter to me.
Final Verdict: Is Norwegian Sky Worth It?
Objectively?
The Norwegian Sky is an older, smaller, more basic cruise ship.
The cabins are dated.
The technology is limited.
The entertainment is simple.
And compared to modern ships, it lacks the giant attractions and flashy features many travelers expect today.
But emotionally?
This ship means far more to me than most newer vessels ever could.
Because this was the ship that started everything.
The ship that introduced my mom and me to cruising.
The ship that helped create a tradition we still share today more than twenty cruises later.
And some memories simply cannot be scored with numbers.
Some cruises become vacations.
Others become part of your life story.
The Norwegian Sky became part of ours.
