Sky to Cuba 9.3.18

I booked this trip about 4 weeks in advance to celebrate my 20th anniversary with my husband. We have been on one previous cruise- 17 years ago on the Sky to Alaska out of Seattle. We really loved that trip- but never got around to cruising again. For the Cuba trip, we initially booked an aft balcony, which is where we were last trip. We ended up in an aft suite for just a little more. We didn't bid, I just obsessively watched prices and then upgraded when the price was right.

The suite was amazing! I thought the Sky was in great shape, despite its age. But- it goes into dry dock for 19 days in January for a sprucing up.

Embarkation was a breeze- though the suite really helped. Once on board (by 11:30), we were escorted to Plantation, where our concierge Kadek told us about perks for suite guests. We had him change some dining reservations and make a shore excursion (wave runner at Great Stirrup Cay). We then went to Cagney's for lunch. Our room was ready by 1:00.

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The room was amazing. We were in room 8277, the "Aquarius Suite".

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Though it was raining in Miami, by the time we left port it had stopped raining. We upgraded our 100 free minutes of internet to unlimited (the 2 of us shared). The 100 minutes was worth $75 towards the (I think) $119 unlimited. It's easy to switch between users using the website login.con. But sharing meant we couldn't use our phones to communicate with each other (not a big deal for us).

Here are the current officers on the ship.

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We ate at Cagney's our first night. The food and service there were excellent throughout our trip. After a little hot tub time, we turned in to rest up for Cuba. When we woke at 6:15 a.m., we were treated with the approach to Havana.

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I arranged a tour through Blexie. Thanks to the suite, we had priority disembarking and it took us maybe 15 minutes to go through customs and change money. Our tour guide was Raul and he was there at 10 a.m. There had been a hiccup with the scheduled car (engine apparently gave out), but they made new arrangements on the fly and our tour was not impacted. We loved spending the day with Raul and getting the perspective of a Cuban. We saw many things- my husband's favorite was Fusterlandia. A few pictures:

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After a long day of seeing Havana, we enjoyed some time on the ship. We ate dinner in the Palace MDR. We had a great table by the window and a lovely meal. I really enjoyed the Cuban inspired options.

After dinner, we got ready for Tropicana. I bought tickets online the night before the cruise and arranged transportation with Blexie. We had a classic car and paid $50 round trip. So - the Tropicana was an amazing venue, awesome costumes, and great dancing/singing. We were given a glass of champagne, a bottle of Havana Rum (1 bottle for 2 people), Avila each, and some nuts. It was pretty warm out and a few people were puffing on their cigars (also provided). The show starts at 10pm, I would advise arriving between 9:30 and 9:45, unless you want to sit around beforehand in the heat. Most people loved the show- but if you or your partner are not fans of "productions" or musicals, Tropicana is not for you.

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Thanks for this... we will be on the Sky in 5 weeks...this time we have an owners suite....can't wait

Our driver had waited through the show. We made it back to the ship, paid and tipped him, and turned in for the night.

The following day was our sea day. After breakfast, I headed to the Cruise Critic Meet and Greet that I had arranged. I think around 15 people showed up. It was nice to meet everyone. NCL provided refreshments and around 8 of the officers showed up. They were all really great and I appreciated the time they took to meet with us.

The pool was a crazy scene (of course). My husband and I spent some time in the fitness center and then walked through the craziness.

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We were truly spoiled throughout the cruise for our 20th celebration. Being in a suite most certainly upped the celebration factor. I don't even have pictures of all the anniversary decorations.

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I don't remember what we did on our sea day- but we enjoyed some time in Outrigger and on our balcony. We did the Captain's reception that evening and then ate at Le Bistro. Food was good-but we preferred Cagney's menu.

We did not do many ship activities, preferring to just relax and enjoy the views and quiet spaces. We honestly could be happy in an interior room- but we 100% enjoyed the suite perks and attention from staff.

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Great Stirrup Cay was beautiful! We opted to do a wave runner tour. Our meeting time was 10:45, but we weren't on the wave runners until 11:45. I don't have pictures- but even though it took an hour to get going, we loved it! It was full throttle speed (up to 50mph) through beautiful water. It is not a tour in the sense of "exploring"- it is all about speed. We did stop near the end in a shallow spot to get in the water. We found a huge starfish (about 12 inches diameter).

We walked the island and I rented a float- which was pure bliss for me. I wish I had goggles- I would have just floated with my face in the water.

The food was yummy- I had chicken with a mild spice, corn on the cob, rice, watermelon, and pineapple

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After a long day of seeing Havana, we enjoyed some time on the ship. We ate dinner in the Palace MDR. We had a great table by the window and a lovely meal. I really enjoyed the Cuban inspired options.

 

After dinner, we got ready for Tropicana. I bought tickets online the night before the cruise and arranged transportation with Blexie. We had a classic car and paid $50 round trip. So - the Tropicana was an amazing venue, awesome costumes, and great dancing/singing. We were given a glass of champagne, a bottle of Havana Rum (1 bottle for 2 people), Avila each, and some nuts. It was pretty warm out and a few people were puffing on their cigars (also provided). The show starts at 10pm, I would advise arriving between 9:30 and 9:45, unless you want to sit around beforehand in the heat. Most people loved the show- but if you or your partner are not fans of "productions" or musicals, Tropicana is not for you.

 

 

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Your post is very helpful. We will be in Havana for a day during a seven-day on the Sun in October, and I'd like to plan something for the evening but not sure of timing - we depart Havana at 11:59 p.m. At what time did you depart Havana? Thanks!

And that about does it! We had one more lovely meal in Cagney's, picked up all our pictures (free at sea), looked at our final bill, and prepared our tips/thank you'd for our concierge, butler, and cabin attendant. We packed in the morning, said goodbye to the crew, and self disembarked with Kadek's escort. Customs was quick. We are now hanging out in a day use room at the Sheraton airport because our flight is not until 8:30 tonight.

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Your post is very helpful. We will be in Havana for a day during a seven-day on the Sun in October, and I'd like to plan something for the evening but not sure of timing - we depart Havana at 11:59 p.m. At what time did you depart Havana? Thanks!

We did not depart Havana until 6a.m. The following day.

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We did not depart Havana until 6a.m. The following day.

 

 

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Your post is very helpful. We will be in Havana for a day during a seven-day on the Sun in October, and I'd like to plan something for the evening but not sure of timing - we depart Havana at 11:59 p.m. At what time did you depart Havana? Thanks!

We will be sailing on the Sky Oct 15th...our itinerary for Havana shows arrival 10am depart 6am the next day.. they did change our itinerary so we do Cuba second.. doubt that will help much but have a wonderful trip

Thank you so much for your wonderful review and beautiful pictures. My husband and I are planning to do this cruise in May, we’re very excited to see Havana. Happy 20th Anniversary!

Hi

Thanks for your post. We are thinking of a last minute cruise on NCL to Cuba the first week in November but am concerned about the weather . Do you have any input on this? Also, you mentioned putting a bid in for an upgraded cabin. How did you do this?

Hi

 

Thanks for your post. We are thinking of a last minute cruise on NCL to Cuba the first week in November but am concerned about the weather . Do you have any input on this? Also, you mentioned putting a bid in for an upgraded cabin. How did you do this?

We didn't bid- I checked prices and the suite price dropped about 12 days before departure. My travel agent was able to change cabins for us for the price difference.

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Thank you so much for your wonderful review and beautiful pictures. My husband and I are planning to do this cruise in May, we’re very excited to see Havana. Happy 20th Anniversary!

The Sky will be refurbished by then. You will have a great time!

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oh - ok thanks!

lovely review, thank you! Do you think kids are allowed at the Tropicana show? Or that is more of an adult venture:)?

And wow what a difference one day makes , they cancelled GSC on 9/2 for us due to huge waves and wind but you had clear calm seas!

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lovely review, thank you! Do you think kids are allowed at the Tropicana show? Or that is more of an adult venture:)?

 

And wow what a difference one day makes , they cancelled GSC on 9/2 for us due to huge waves and wind but you had clear calm seas!

 

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Tropicana is 16 and up- I saw only adults. By the way- though I know most lived the show, we probably would have preferred something else.

We were at GSC just yesterday, September 6. It is too bad you missed that port!

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Tropicana is 16 and up- I saw only adults. By the way- though I know most lived the show, we probably would have preferred something else.

 

We were at GSC just yesterday, September 6. It is too bad you missed that port!

 

 

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Thank you!

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