cruise help?

[Cat]

I personally like Carnival. RCC is almost twice as much it's hard for me to justify. I know they have a lot of extra stuff to do on board but I wouldn't mess with that stuff. I'm pretty content lounging around.

I haven't went on Norwegian since I was a kid. It had an old person atmosphere but it seems to have changed it's demographic a bit.

[The Saltman]

I personally like Carnival. RCC is almost twice as much it's hard for me to justify. I know they have a lot of extra stuff to do on board but I wouldn't mess with that stuff. I'm pretty content lounging around.

I haven't went on Norwegian since I was a kid. It had an old person atmosphere but it seems to have changed it's demographic a bit.

Last time I went on Carnival it was all teeny boppers and children. Maybe thats changed also.

[Cat]

Last time I went on Carnival it was all teeny boppers and children. Maybe thats changed also.

I rarely see kids. I think they are in the daycare area or something. Of course we don't cruise during the summer so maybe that's it.

[The Saltman]

This was like 6-7 years ago and they hadnt renovated any of the ships, that is what bothered me the most. Most of the ships were almsot 60 years old.

[Davidson Deac II]

I hate cruises to. Been on four of them, and they always made me paint something or sweep or mop. Plus they had ports of call like Guantanamo Bay Cuba, or Norfolk Virginia. And occasionally someone would shoot at us.

But we did have guns, dam big ones.

[The Saltman]

I hate cruises to. Been on four of them, and they always made me paint something or sweep or mop. Plus they had ports of call like Guantanamo Bay Cuba, or Norfolk Virginia. And occasionally someone would shoot at us.

But we did have guns, dam big ones.

ureee soo funny..

[Steve Smith]

Wow, I really appreciate all the help on this.

We just want to make sure we're getting a good cruise line and ship.

I'm pretty sure we'll be going with Norwegian and boarding the Norwegian Sky. It is also relatively cheap at $219 a person as well.

Our plan is to rent a car, drive from Charlotte to Miami and return the car down there and rent one when we come back off the boat.

The destinations are; Day 2: Grand Bahama Island, Day 3: Nassau, and Day 4: Norwegian's private island, Grand Stirrup Cay.

We will definitely be taking an excursion on one of those days.

Has anyone had experience of bringing their own snorkeling gear, getting off the boat and swimming out to do it yourself? From other's previous experiences it seems to be fine.

Any suggestions on excursions as well?

[Steve Smith]

lol shoulda read your post...I was on the sky last summer, had a great time. U cant go wrong with Norwegian just bring lots of sunscreen and make sure u have lots of money for drinks.

Is there anything else you can tell me about the Sky? what to do? what not to do? tips for restaurants and buffets?

[The Saltman]

Is there anything else you can tell me about the Sky? what to do? what not to do? tips for restaurants and buffets?

I would just try to go to the free dinners that they have. The freestyle eating as they call it. Don't waste your money on the dinners u have to pay extra for. Also they have this awesome gameshow at the end of the cruise where they have a bunch of people do crazy shiit. Its the only time they say only adults are allowed. I wen't to as many gameshows, and things that they were having and had boatloads of fun so try to go to as many cruise shows u can go to. not too sure about the excursions tho, just dont waste your money paying the cruise line for them. Besides that it is a great ship and u can;t beat that price man!!!

[The Saltman]

If I think of anything else I will let u know....also if u want to get a good seat at the pool try to go early, but thats probably for any cruise ship.

[Cat]

This was like 6-7 years ago and they hadnt renovated any of the ships, that is what bothered me the most. Most of the ships were almsot 60 years old.

Whoa carnivals ships? They are all rather new. certainly not 60 years old. Maybe the ship you were on just looked really really crappy. lol

I've been on really old ships that were converted to cruise ships when i was a kid but I don't think anyone operates those ships anymore.

[The Saltman]

Whoa carnivals ships? They are all rather new. certainly not 60 years old.

I've been on really old ships that were converted to cruise ships when i was a kid but I don't think anyone operates those ships anymore.

ya man, like I said this was 6-7 years ago. I looked up the ship and they were very old. Upgraded now probably but they were.

[Cat]

ya man, like I said this was 6-7 years ago. I looked up the ship and they were very old. Upgraded now probably but they were.

yeah that would leave an awful taste in my mouth too!!!!

I went on some really old boats back in the late 80's and early 90's. Cruising is way better now. The ships are ridiculous.

[Samuel L. Jackson]

You can bring your own snorkeling gear if you want... They do request that you purchase/use a self inflatable float while snorkeling off their private island (I think you can rent them for like $5 at the snorkel hut), but don't really limit where you go...

On your other stops, they might have buoys that limit the snorkel area due to surf conditions... On that note, I have read that often times you can't even stop at Grand Stirrup Cay due to surf, but maybe you'll luck out like we did and be able to...

At Great Stirrup Cay, I would suggest snorkeling out between the large rock and the rock wall that spans the right side of the beach... You'll be at a depth of 30-40 feet, and you can see some awesome stuff out there if you look hard enough/dive down...

I mentioned the adult gameshow that The Saltman was talking about... do make sure you go to it, as it is a blast... Be sure to participate as well... They have you do crazy stuff in teams for points... I won't spoil it unless you want me to...

As far as the food, you won't go hungry by sticking to the buffets, and Norwegian does them NICE... If you want to see what one of the pay restaurants is like, give it a try... But the food on the buffet is just as good...