FirstRodeo

Awesome!!! 10 days out...hoping I hear by then. What was your bid?

 

 

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Our bid was considered “fair” at 130$ pp. I thought the bid was higher than what NCL rated it for it just being the SKY. My mom really loves the balcony when we cruise, so I wanted to make an offer to give us a good chance. We still ended up saving 200$ bidding as compared to buying the balcony room upfront.

Glad they got back to us with the acceptance email 10 days in advance, I was assuming they were going to wait the 72 hours before sailing.

Cheers!

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Sailing on the Sky 1/29-2/2 and just received an email stating our offer for a balcony upgrade from an inside guarantee stateroom was accepted. Waahhhhooooo!

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MJS Transportation. Google their website. 15$ per person on shuttle. More than 2 people, I think it’s 13$ pp.

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Does the snorkeling 'excursion' to get the equipment need to be booked on-board or can you do it on the island?

 

 

 

Is there decent snorkeling from every beach or just certain ones?

You can rent on the island and also purchase the “excursion” while on board at the excursion desk.

When we were there last January there were only two beaches. The main beach (near the snorkel rental) had an area to the left that was fun! Although I swam everywhere and saw tons of wild life all throughout the water and different areas available. It’s not the best snorkeling you’ll ever do in your life as there isn’t really lots of coral and whatnot, but it is a really great time if you’re looking for a relaxing time and see some cool stuff!

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Yes! Yoloooooo

The excursion on the NCL website for the sculpture reef is basically an all day rental for the equipment while on this island, not an actual location/excursion. We did this last year and are doing it again this year! Well worth the 29$ - we saw lots of fish, sea turtles, sea horses, and a string ray. Super fun and laid back! Nothing like snorkeling, grabbing a Miami Vice on the beach, and then heading back out. Hope you all have fun!

Yes! We saw tons of 'gators and beautiful birds. Well worth it if you love nature :)

Anyone sailing on the NCL Sky Jan 29-Feb 2 get any acceptance notices?

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Read this from the NCL Frequently Asked Questions:

 

 

 

https://www.ncl.com/faq#onboard-expenses

Thank you. Sounds like we can do 150$ each in cash once we get on board. It doesn’t sound like they hook this up at check in before getting on boat.

Recently cut up credit cards because we are following Dave Ramsey’s total money makeover. Game changer!

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Hi everyone! We are getting ready for a fun, fast 4 day vacation on the sky as a get away from this FREEZING winter in WV! Do we need to have a credit card while on the ship? Do we need a credit card to link to our room key? Even if everything is included and we prepaid service charges? TIA!!!!

New to cruising. We are sailing on NCL Sky in two weeks. Because that ship is all inclusive, are beverages free at GSC?

Yes they are! CHEERS!

It sure does!!!!! CHEERS!!!!!

Thank you guys! There are finally a few excursions uploaded. We actually decided to go with an outside vendor for horse back riding on the beach.

Thanks again!

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Does anyone know where I can get free wifi in Nassau. Will only be there for the day.

There is a brewery there. I can’t remember the name, but it’s walking distance and I think the only brewery in town. They had free WiFi last year.

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Hey cruisers. My mom and I are going on a fun Sky trip at the end of January. I can’t seem to find anything under port of call or under roll call.

Wondering if anyone has suggestions of what to do when we stop at Grand Bahamas Island? On the NCL website, it’s not showing any excursions at all to plan for this Island. I’d like to get off ship to explore because we’ve never been before. Do you guys do excursions with the ship or different party excursion providers?

Thank you and we hope to get responses!

Happy (almost) New Year!

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Our cruise leaves Nov. 27 and only recently have a number of excursions been posted. We received a message on the site that more will be available onboard. No excursions yet for Jamaica and just a few for some of the other ports.

 

I have a feeling they are really busy trying to settle the excursions for the closer sailing cruises that have been rerouted and will get to the others as this is resolved.

 

Hope you see yours soon!

Thanks! Enjoy your trip!!

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It is extremely random, with some appearing over a year in advance and others only a few months. Even on the same cruise you excursions can turn up at different times for each port.

 

Having said that, 77 days sounds very close to me. Have you checked the roll call for your cruise to see if anyone else has had any luck?

 

 

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Great idea, Thank you!

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Hello guys and gals. My mom and I are cruising in 77 days. Wondering when shore excursion options become available/listed on the NCL website?

Thank you.

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Is there snorkeling right off the beach at GSC? One that isn't considered an excursion? I have my own equipment, but I don't have a vest. Are they available there?

It's not really an excursion. More like you rent snorkel gear and have it all day long to do as you please. I reserved it while on ship on Deck 5 at the excursion desk, but I'm sure you don't have to do that. The snorkeling at GSC was AMAZING!!!

EDITED: Yes they have vests to rent for ~5$. However, vests are NOT required.

BLue,

It's not really an excursion. More like you rent snorkel gear and have it all day long to do as you please. I reserved it while on ship on Deck 5 at the excursion desk, but I'm sure you don't have to do that. The snorkeling at GSC was AMAZING!!!

Hi everyone! :D I just got back home from a recent Nor Sky 3 day cruise to GSC and Nassau that included the all inclusive alcoholic drinks. This was my first cruise. This board and community has been so helpful, so I thought I'd give back. Here are a few personal pin-points/observations of our trip (my mom (52) and I (30) went together) Jan 16-19.

We flew into Fort Laud a day early and took a taxi to South Beach where we stayed at Hotel Ocean. It was great - right on the beach and on Ocean Drive and near Collins. This is a great location because you can walk around, see different things, eat at different places, the beach is right across the street. We then took an Uber to the Port of Miami the day of the cruise. As of the time we went, NO PASSPORT IS REQUIRED FOR A CLOSE LOOP CRUISE TO THE BAHAMAS. My mother and I went with our ID, birth certificate, and marriage license - all originals - and no passport. We had no difficulty at all during the whole trip. People will tell you to have one incase you get left behind on one of the islands - but just don't do that, haha ;-).

****The boat was clean and never seemed overly crowded. There was a nice mix of ages and people on the ship. No one was insanely drunk, but definitely a lot of happy people! The ship offered hilarious comedy shows. Our favorite was the "Not So Newlywed Game." All of the complimentary food was average, with one exceptional dinner that tasted great in the dining rooms (Palace). The staff was always very friendly and helpful. At dinner you are offered a red and white wine choice (on the house - Chardonnay or Merlot - free of charge), anything off the actual wine list cost extra. We drank the whole trip without paying for liquor/alcohol. So unless you're super picky and want the super premium stuff - you will be a-ok. The bartenders were fast! Do not be alarmed that some of the drinks are pre-mixed - they have plenty of alcohol in them! We upgraded after an e-mail a few days before the cruise to upgrade from a guaranteed inside state room to balcony for 75$ and did it. The balcony was cute with two chairs and small table. We really enjoyed our own balcony and sleeping with the door open every night to hear the ocean. The room was great with all of the things you can find in a hotel (safe, mini-fridge, hair drier, soap, shampoo, lotion). The only downside, was there was a slight sewage smell from the bathroom (that was before even using it! LOL), so we just kept the door closed and had air freshener). Shopping was so-so, the casino so-so (I'm not really a shopper or a gambler so my views may be skewed). You are not required to tip bartenders/waiters, but we did occasionally - because of the great service and friendly demeanor. The only negative is that we planned an airboat/everglades excursion through the cruise line with shuttle scheduled for the way back to the airport on the last day when we got back to Miami Port. We did not find out it was canceled until we were aboard the ship, went down to the shore excursion desk of level 5 to inquire, and then to be informed it is no longer happening. This was a bummer because we were banking on this to get us back to the airport, but we managed. I just didn't like that they didn't give us a heads up BEFORE getting on the ship so we could have planned something else.

****Great Stirrup Cay (GSC) 8-5pm. THE BEST PART OF THE TRIP! Had to be back on tender by 4:30 to get on ship. This was the only line we waited in the whole entire trip! No one wanted to leave until the last minute, lol. On GSC all drinks and food included. BEAUTIFUL PRIVATE ISLAND!!! Super clean. Beautiful white sand and teal gemstone water. Super fun to walk up to the bar, order a drink, and never have to pay! We got to the island on the 5-6 tender and still managed to get a front row chair on the main beach. Some of the island was still blocked off due to construction. The BBQ was great. The snorkeling off the beach was actually amazing - plenty of fish, sting ray, sea turtles, and squid! (If you happen to see the sea turtles DO NOT try to pick them up/ride them/pet them/touch them. While snorkeling a young adult attempted to swim down to the turtle while he was eating sea grass grab him by both sides of the shell to ride him. Of course I intervened. That is NOT acceptable. Enjoy the animals in their natural habitat. Why do humans think they have the right to disturb animals in their natural habitat? Selfish and entitled. NOT OK.) I did not have a reservation for SUP excursion, but walked over to the stand and was able to get one. I am from WV, my mom is from PA, and we did NOT think the water was too cold. It was perfect. The sun was warm. Never while snorkeling around or floating around on our 15$ rental mat did we get cold. Just putting this in there for anyone who has been reading everyone's comments about the weather/water in January. It is perfect (at least for northerners like us!).

****Nassua 8-5pm. Easy to get off the ship, no line. We did the Seahorse Sail and Snorkel for ~3.5 to 4 hours. It was really fun. The boat was not overcrowded and there was a complimentary rum punch on the way back. The gear was clean. The reef was pretty with much more colorful fish than at GSC. The water here was a little colder. Staff very friendly. Highly recommended for a "cheaper" excursion. We then went to Senor Frogs for lunch and then to the straw market and walked around Nassau. We did this because we never have been before and wanted to see what the island was like. To be honest, although it was an experience, we should have just got a day pass at one of the all inclusive resorts for the day. We weren't really sad to leave Nassua, haha. The people do ask you to buy things often, and will fish for you to come into their store. Just say "no thank you" and they respect you. No one was ever rude. If you like craft beer there is a brewing company on the island with great beer choices! Pirate Brewing Co. or something like that. The IPA and coconut stout was good. WE had some time to kill before 4:30 so we went to Junkanoo Beach. I've read so much about this beach because it's close to the port and free. But honestly- disappointment. Broken glass in the sand everywhere, plastic bags sunk at the bottom of the water. Just not my cup of tea after being at GSC. I also didn't enjoy it was literally in the port where the cruise ships were to the right and shipping containers to the left. You had a nice view of the light house, though.

****Got to Miami Port the next morning. We went to guest services to inquire about a shuttle back to the airport. They were able to direct us without an issue. 2 people 60$. Once you get off the ship and go through customs, there is a tent right out the door for the shuttle company that you can walk up to. Very easy!

This was just kind of "in a nut-shell." Already can't wait to go on another! Would definitely recommend this trip!

Weather.Com ;-)

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Snorkeling from Nassau, are there any snorkel friendly beaches and do any rent equipment.

 

 

 

We are overnighting November 2nd, from the NCL Breakaway and would be a good opportunity to get snorkeling in. The wife WILL NOT snorkel from a boat, she thinks we will be stranded out in the deep blue or something. So it must be from beach.

 

 

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

 

 

Jon

Sorry, no answer for your question. But just relating - my mom was nervous about it. She's never been on any kind of adventure like this. I actually showed her a few YouTube videos and it convinced her! Maybe a try? :)

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Thank you all!

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First cruise coming up in 6 days!!!!!!!!!! However, question about port. If the ship is in port from 8-5 (does that mean you can get off the boat right at 8?)... what is the latest you can get back on the boat?

THANKS!

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