Libraries on Sky and Dawn? Should I bring many books?

[tbmrt]

When we cruised Celebrity last year, there were lots of books to read w/an honor system checkout.

Does NCL work the same way? I'm trying to pack light and hate to drag alot of magazines/books w/me.

[watchdiva]

Hi Barbara - the Dawn has a library (check the Freestyle Daily for hours) and IIRC there was a good selection......if you do take your own books with you and read them during the cruise, remember to leave them for the next group of passengers!

[FLAHAM]

Originally Posted by tbmrt

When we cruised Celebrity last year, there were lots of books to read w/an honor system checkout.

Does NCL work the same way? I'm trying to pack light and hate to drag alot of magazines/books w/me.

Bring a Kindle! Less than the weight of a typical paperback, holds 1,500 books.

[KandCsailing]

The dawn has quite a large library and it is always open to sit and read in because most of the books are in locked cabinets. When the librarian is on duty there are many books that you can sign out for the cruise and also reference books that can't leave the room. There is one cabinet that is always unlocked for cruisers to take and leave their own books but there were not a lot in it in September. There are also free copies of sudoku puzzles and crossword puzzles everyday on a small table.

[Nebr.cruiser]

I haven't been on these ships, but when we did a TA on the Jewel last spring the library practically ran out of books after the first day or so. Many shelves were almost empty and those books that were left were either foreign language or something no one wanted to read. I'm talking 5 or 6 books left on a whole bookcase!

I guess it was because it was a repositioning TA with lots of sea days in a row?

[Down-Unders]

Originally Posted by tbmrt

When we cruised Celebrity last year, there were lots of books to read w/an honor system checkout.

Does NCL work the same way? I'm trying to pack light and hate to drag alot of magazines/books w/me.

No honour system on NCl most of the time the library cabinets are locked. This system causes passengers to take out more books than they need because of limited access. The library is run by general staff who know very little about the books available, we were on the Sun to Mexico and there was nothing there like Lonely ect. What really made me mad was not even a Atlas or a Dictionary which is standard in any library.

I suggest you bring your own books as we felt NCL were not intrested in suppling a decent service on the SUN.

[Don Haynes]

I either bring a big novel or two small novels to read. There is so much to do aboard a ship I find it difficult to read much more.

[Reebster]

I've found that the quality of the library varies from ship to ship. We did a 12-day Baltics cruise on the Jewel and the library selection was poor, but on our other two NCL cruises on different ships the library selection was pretty good. I usually take a few inexpensive paperbacks to read and then leave them at the ship library so that others can enjoy them and I don't have to lug them home.

[gooch47]

The library on the Sky was quite small and the shelves were only unlocked when there was an employee present. The times it is open is listed in the newsletter you get each night.

The biggest shock to me was that I had to put down a $25 deposit on my cruise account to take just one book.

There was a paperback exchange, but the selection of titles wasn't what I usually read.

[trish1c]

The library is fairly close to the pool. There are times when you can't take out a book due to the locked cabinets but once you figure out the hours & get into a rhythm, it's fine. I read fast so I was taking out 2 books a day & bringing them back the next day. Worked fine for me.

I usually bring a book with me for the plane. If I finish it on the way down, I leave it on the ship.

[crew mom]

I usually bring a book or two. If I don't find anything to read in the library I figure I can always buy a paperback in the next port.

trish1c - You might consider getting a kindle with reading as fast as you do!

[trish1c]

Originally Posted by crew mom

trish1c - You might consider getting a kindle with reading as fast as you do!

Other people have suggested this to me. My landlord has one. I tried reading it but did not like the feel of it in my hands. I want a book with paper & pages I can turn. Plus if I drop a book in the pool I can dry it out. If I drop a kindle in the water I'm %$#@ed.

[crew mom]

Originally Posted by trish1c

Other people have suggested this to me. My landlord has one. I tried reading it but did not like the feel of it in my hands. I want a book with paper & pages I can turn.

I, too, like the feel of a book so I understand!

Originally Posted by trish1c

If I drop a kindle in the water I'm %$#@ed.

LOL So true!