Ready for a Norwegian Sky cabin review? Normally I plan my trips out weeks, if not months or more, in advance. For this particular trip, I booked both my cruise and air with less than 24 hours prior to travel.
As this was a 4-night Bahamas cruise on the Norwegian Sky, a cruise ship that has touted itself as having the most balcony cabins (prior to the arrival of the Norwegian Getaway) going to the Bahamas, I was dead set on staying in a balcony cabin. The only Norwegian Sky cabin category available was the BB guarantee so I opted for that. If you’ve never sailed in a guarantee cabin, it means that you don’t choose your cabin, but that the cruise line will assign you one instead. Since it was a short cruise, I was optimistic that I would get a great Norwegian Sky cabin nonetheless.
Norwegian Sky Aft Facing Cabin
The morning of my departure, I printed my cruise documents after my Norwegian Sky cabin was finally assigned. Turns out that I was assigned cabin 8278 – an aft-facing B1 category cabin and the first aft facing cabin I have ever stayed in while cruising. Traditionally, I prefer a midship cabin, but there’s always a first time for everything. This Norwegian Sky cabin type measures approximately 202-226 square feet with room for up to three guests with two lower beds that convert into a queen size bed and a pull out sofa that can sleep one extra person. Additionally, there’s a sitting area, floor-to-ceiling glass doors, and a private aft-facing view with “larger than normal balconies.”
While my Norwegian Sky cabin was clean with new carpeting and a Solé flat screen television, the overall pastel decor does look a little worn and dated. But if you can look past the obvious and enjoy the outside views, you’ll enjoy your cruise immensely. The big negative about this cabin is its location directly above the Stardust Lounge, the nearly 1000 seat theater. If you plan on going to bed before the shows are out — think twice as you will be able to feel every vibration and the bass from the nightly shows. Speaking of vibrations, since this Norwegian Sky cabin’s location at the back end of the ship means you’ll definitely feel the ship’s engines or propulsion system or anchor — not sure what it was, but I could feel it and hear it.
Norwegian Sky Aft Facing Cabin Bathroom
The bathroom was average in size with a shower to one side with a fabric shower curtain, a toilet, and a vanity area with a built in sink. There are built in dispensers such as a hand soap one by the sink and a bath soap and shampoo ones in the shower. Personally, I feel as if they were installed incorrectly as they are at the wrong heights for easy access. The one by the sink is practically on top of the vanity making it hard to operate and the ones in the shower are ridiculously low. Great idea, but not so great on the execution. I always bring along my own bath products so it wasn’t a terrible distraction for me. On a side note, I found that the toilet didn’t always want to flush when we were arriving into and departing from ports. Strange, but true.
Norwegian Sky Aft Facing Cabin Storage
You’ll find in this Norwegian Sky cabin that there’s sufficient storage space and hangers in the closet adjacent to the bathroom. On one side is full length storage with wooden hangers and a mirror on the back of the door. On the other side is a shorter hanging closet area with three drawers and a room safe. The safe operates on a four digit code that you program. Also on this side you will find a bible, a hairdryer, and an extra pillow. I completely appreciated the drawer space, especially after being on the Norwegian Getaway in March where my cabin had zero drawers.
There’s also one nightstand with a couple of shelves for extra storage and one shelf above the television set on the opposite side of the room. A room refrigerator that is fully stocked with a minibar is also in the room and can be emptied (upon request). I used it to store my bottled water, which was not so cold the first day, but chilly thereafter.
Norwegian Sky Aft Facing Cabin Balcony
Heading outside to the balcony, while the floor of the balcony is definitely showing wear, I appreciated the newer balcony furniture. The furniture was both clean and comfortable.
There’s sufficient privacy from your neighbors in the same category cabin to your right as well as a the aft-facing penthouse suite to the left. However, the front part of the balcony is exposed to the decks above, which include the Great Outdoors Café. I found food on the balcony several times from the people above who were haphazardly throwing food to the seagulls. UGH!
You can relax on the one lounge chair or one of the regular chairs and enjoy the view as you pull out of port or while at sea. Can you sit out here and sunbathe? Probably not. While I find it interesting that the cabin is described as having “larger than normal balconies,” I might call it more average than large. I also wonder how big the standard balcony cabin is on this ship.
Final Thoughts on My Norwegian Sky Cabin
At the end of the day, I’m always looking to enjoy the view and take a great picture. Because after all, nothing beats a sunrise or a sunset at sea.
Would I recommend a B1 aft facing balcony cabin on the Norwegian Sky? Why not? If you’ve sailed in a balcony cabin, then you know why going back to an oceanview or gasp… an inside cabin is difficult if not impossible for most cruisers. I’m glad I had the chance to try an aft facing cabin. Especially since I’ve heard so many people talk them up and say how much they love them and they wouldn’t cruise in any other type of cabin. As for me, it was nice, but not enough to convert me to sailing exclusively in an aft facing cabin. As long as I have a balcony, I’ll be happy. But the truth is as long as I’m cruising and traveling the world, I’m extremely happy.
My next post will be the video tour of this cabin and future posts onboard Norwegian Sky will cover a tour of the ship and a review of the Main Dining Room (MDR). Don’t forget to check out the rest of the Travel Shop Girl website for more cruise and destination information.