Sunday
We flew Southwest from Dallas to Ft Lauderdale, eating lunch at Cantina Laredo at Love Field before getting on the plane. Flight was uneventful and arrived on time. We called for the hotel shuttle to pick us up and they were waiting for us when we walked out of the terminal. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express at the airport. We were both full from the late lunch so we skipped finding somewhere to eat which was probably good because we didn't see any restaurants close by.
Monday
We had reservations with SAS shuttle to take us to the pier at 9:30. We met them in the lobby and pulled away when I realized I didn't have my handbag. We yelled STOP and I went back into the foyer and there it sat. So thankful that I realized that I didn't have it before leaving the hotel, for it held my jewelry, iPad, Kindle and bathing suits. We were the first passengers dropped off at the pier. Two Carnival ships, 2 RCCL ships and 1 Pullmantur ship were also at the port. Pretty busy for a Monday. No waiting to check in and receive our room cards but a long wait to board the ship. It was around 12:30 when we embarked. We went to the MDR, Crossings, to eat lunch. Not many people take advantage of the MDR so it was a quick and quiet meal. Some confusion on what wine is included. We had documentation that any wine under $11 was included but waiter said only select wines. When we showed him the printout, he was perplexed. He took our room number so hopefully we will hear from someone. After lunch we wandered a bit and then rooms were ready at 2:00. Room seemed very small after sailing in suites on our last several cruises but everything is in good order.
We are on the back so I will enjoy the aft view and sounds.
Muster was on deck but we didn't have to take our life vests. It is so hot standing there waiting for everyone to show up. Not sure why NCL continues to hold muster outside. Sailaway was at 5:00.
Pre dinner drink in Captain's Cook Lounge. Nobody was there and the girl at the bar asked if we were lost. Hmmm. Ordered a drink and then went to dinner. We had reservations at 7:00 in Le Bistro. We both had a great dinner, I ordered tenderloin and Greg ordered Rack of Lamb. We had chocolate fondue for dessert. The show was late due to a maintenance problem. Come to find out it was due to a leak in our shower. More to come on that later! The CD is over the top silly. The singers and dancers seem decent and the comedienne was good. We headed to the room. I took a very cold shower and we both were headed to bed when we got a call telling us we needed to change rooms because the water was shut off in our room. Hmmm, we had flushed the commode, used water in the sink and I had taken a shower, though cold. After calling back, we were told the hot water was turned off and it would be fixed tomorrow. We had the option of changing rooms, or using another room for showering. Since we were going on an excursion and not bathing until tomorrow afternoon, we opted to stay put.
Tuesday. Freeport
We went to breakfast in Crossings and came back to find a note saying our excursion had been cancelled. Disappointing, since snorkeling at this stop was the main reason for doing this cruise. They said it was due to inclement weather, but it wasn't stormy. Learned later that it was due to rough seas. We went to the Shore Excursion desk and selected an excursion to a beach. It didn't leave until 10:30 so we went ahead and left the ship and shopped for a magnet and bought water. I brought our purchases back to the boat and then we headed to our excursion. We got lucky and was sent to a mini van while everyone else waited on the big busses. We were the first to arrive at Tanio beach. Pretty beach, fairly calm water, chairs (not loungers) with umbrellas.
Our waiter Ryan took pretty good care of us (he disappeared in the middle of our stay but came on strong in the end). We had drinks at the start, then I ordered guacamole and Greg ordered conch salad. His salad was very spicy!! We arrived a little before 11 and left after 2:00. When we returned we checked to see if the hot water had been fixed and it had. So we headed back to our room for a warm shower!
Dinner tonight was IlAdalgio. I had lobster and it was very good, Greg had pork Scallopini. The show in the theater was the singers and dancers doing a contest between the 4 singers with 3 judges from the audience. The song selection was good and the show was enjoyable.
 |
| Our friend waiting for us when we returned to our room. |
Wednesday Nassau.
After breakfast in the MDR we headed to the Hilton where we had a day pass. We had used a day pass at the Hilton on our last trip to Nassau, however this time is was more expensive but included $40 of food and drink for each of us. It was a bit more crowded than our last trip, but there were 4 ships in port. The water was much chillier than I was expecting for late June. The food was decent and it was a relaxing day.
Our dinner reservation was at 6:30 so we headed back a little after 3:00.
 |
| Atlantis |
Thursday. Great Stirrup Cay
Slept in and ate breakfast in the MDR. We were in no hurry to head to the island, leaving around 9:30. Great Stirrup Cay was much improved since our last visit but still no shade. We stayed in the water most of the day because it was a hot day. Lunch was a typical cruise lunch but there were plenty of food lines so no hassle. They had several bars set up so again no waiting in lines.
We headed back to the boat around three. They use large double decker tenders, moving a lot of people on each trip. Sailaway was at 5:00 and we set sail back for Miami.
Predinner drinks tonight in the Plantation Bar which is next door to Cagney's, where we ate tonight. I ordered the porterhouse and Greg the small filet, which the gave the waiter chuckle. Definitely shared half of my steak with Greg. The steak was really, really good and we finished with sharing a macadamia ice cream cookie. The ice cream was toasted coconut! After dinner we stopped at Captain Cook's where the piano player was singing. We was not bad,playing the piano very well with a decent voice. The show in the theater was the singer and dancers again. They truly do a remarkable job. All 4 singers have strong voices and the music selection was songs everyone knows and love. We went back to Captain Cook's to listen to a few more tunes and then headed to our room to put out our bags. Another beautiful night on the balcony with an almost full moon shining bright.
Friday, Disembarkation
We had the last tags to be called so we had breakfast in the MDR. Went back to get our stuff from the room and headed down to 6th floor around 9. The line was ridiculously long so we waited until the line was diminished but it was still slow going through customs. Walked across the street to catch the Hertz shuttle. Waited, waited, and waited plus they wouldn't answer the phone. I finally got someone to answer the phone and they said the shuttle would be there soon. Waited, waited, waited but no shuttle. Greg got through on the phone after several tries and finally here he comes. Service inside was just as bad and then we tried to get out of the parking garage we couldn't because they hadn't given us the pass needed for the parking lot exit. Ughhhh, managed to turn around and Greg went inside to get the pass. We headed to our motel, the Crowne Plaza, which was challenging because Google kept mapping the route on toll roads which is a no-no with a rental car. After settling in at the hotel, we walked in search of something to eat. Found a small cafe down the street where we had a sandwich and chips.
Baseball game started at 7:00 but we went early to see batting practice. We had reservations for parking and breezed right into the parking lot and into the stadium. Seats were behind the right side of home plate. No one sat in front or beside us and there were more Cub fans around us than Marlin fans.
Saturday
Game today wasn't until 4:10 so we ate a late breakfast in the hotel. We paid for the buffet with our room but they only gave us 1 ticket. Greg went to get our second ticket and get the parking cost removed since it was included as well. After breakfast we cleaned up and checked out at noon. We drove around the Cape Coral area and then headed to the stadium. Unfortunately, the Cubs disappointed us today but we still enjoyed the day. Definitely, have missed watching baseball in person. After the game, we drove to Ft Lauderdale, staying at the same Holiday Inn Express by the airport.
Sunday
We tried to eat breakfast but no coffee, omelettes were burnt, no gravy for the biscuits. Front desk said the lady in charge of breakfast didn't show and they were doing the best the could. We opted for cereal and then headed to the airport, returning the rental car, and getting checked in, arriving way too early. The plane was on time and arrived in Dallas 15 minutes early. Easy travel day!
Pros on the Sky
Service was good
Entertainment was VERY good
Food in all 4 specialty restaurants was very good and MDR was good for breakfast.
Boat in good condition.
Negatives
The Beverage package is included on the Sky. Rules differed here than posted on NCL's website. It was not obvious which wines were included and if they weren't, what they cost. None of the bars would make a lemon drop. Greg ordered Jameson one night in the Atrium bar and was told the next night they didn't have Jameson. When Greg said, "you had it last night" the waitress got very rude and said they only serve Mojitos. Nowhere, was it posted that the Atrium bar served only Mojitos. You could order 2 drinks at any bar but you couldn't order a double and you couldn't order a drink without ice.
Never saw our room steward. Room was always cleaned but didn't have a clue who to tip so didn't.
General Observations
Demographics were much different from what we expected. Expectation was a boat full of 20-30 year olds doing a lot of drinking. What we found were multi generational families, many speaking languages other than English and Spanish. Only saw one lady that appeared to have too much to drink.
