Norwegian Sky

The 1999-built Norwegian Sky cruise ship is NCL’s first Sky-class vessel, with sisterships Norwegian Sun and Costa Victoria (1996–2021).

The vessel (IMO number 9128532) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 308865000) and registered in Nassau.

IMPORTANT: In April 2025, NCL signed an agreement to transfer its two oldest vessels (Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun) to Cordelia Cruises, respectively in 2026 (to be renamed Cordelia Sky) and 2027 (Cordelia Sun).

History – construction and ownership

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH), founded in 1966 and headquartered in Miami, Florida. NCLH is publicly traded (NASDAQ) and listed on the NYSE (New York). NCLH’s major shareholders include Apollo Global Management (USA), Genting Group (Malaysia) and TPG Capital (USA). In 2017, NCL held a worldwide cruise market share of 8.7% (passengers) and 8.4% (revenue). NCLH owns the brands NCL, Oceania and RSSC-Regent.

The 2000-passenger Norwegian Sky entered service on August 9, 1999, with an inaugural 4-day roundtrip from Dover to Norway’s fjords. Over the years, she has undergone several refurbishments and name changes. Sky was originally ordered by Costa Cruises as “Costa Olympia,” but Costa later declined the vessel. Between 2004 and 2008, she sailed for NCL America as “Pride of Aloha,” USA-flagged but owned by GHK–Genting Hong Kong.

Decks and Cabins

Norwegian Sky staterooms (1002 total, in 27 categories) include 15 Suites, 245 Balcony, 319 Oceanview and 423 Inside cabins. Most staterooms measure 120–150 ft² (11–14 m²). The largest accommodations are the Owners Suites (350 ft² / 32 m², with 300 ft² / 28 m² terraces).

The ship has 12 decks, of which 9 are passenger-accessible and 7 contain cabins.

Shipboard dining options – Food and Drinks

As Norwegian Sky has evolved, so has Freestyle Cruising, offering guests the flexibility to dine where and when they wish. Guests may choose gourmet cuisine, enjoy French dining at Le Bistro, or select the more traditional experience in the two main dining rooms—Crossings and Palace. Both provide flexible dining, allow nightly reservations, and alternate open-seating breakfast and lunch. Compared to the specialty restaurants, the quality and service in the main dining rooms remain competitive, often surpassing those on larger ships.

Below is the complete list of Norwegian Sky restaurants and food venues.

• Palace Restaurant (forward main dining room; complimentary; “Your Time” dining)
• Le Bistro (French specialty dining; dinner only; reservations required; US$20 cover charge)
• La Cucina (classic Italian cuisine)
• The Crossings Restaurant (aft main dining room; complimentary; Freestyle dining)
• Il Adagio (Italian specialty venue; US$15 cover charge; reservations required)
• Great Outdoor Cafe (complimentary lido buffet)
• Cagney’s Steakhouse (specialty steak and seafood restaurant; US$30 cover charge; complimentary kids’ menu)
• The Local Bar & Grill (pub-style restaurant)
• Pinnacle Lounge and Sushi Bar
• Garden Cafe (complimentary buffet with multiple cuisine stations) and Kids’ Cafe

Shipboard entertainment options – Fun and Sport

Norwegian Sky offers numerous opportunities for relaxation and entertainment: guests may enjoy cocktails poolside, indulge in spa treatments, or work out in the fitness center while children participate in supervised youth activities. Evening entertainment includes the Stardust Lounge, the casino, and live music across various venues—from Sinatra classics to steel drums, salsa, and rock and roll. Lounges typically feature guitarists, pianists, and Caribbean bands. Entertainment also includes NCL’s FIREWORKS show and production shows such as “Rock of Ages,” “Cirque Dreams,” and “Illusionarium.”

Additional onboard amenities include complimentary 24-hour room service, the supervised “NCL Kids” program, Internet/WiFi access, laundry services, and an onboard chapel for weddings. Daily gratuities are US$12 per person.

Below is the full list of Norwegian Sky lounges, clubs and entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Stardust Theatre (1000-seat showroom presenting Broadway-style productions; two nightly performances)
• Captain Cook’s Cigar Bar; Plantation Club; Champs Bar; Starbucks licensed store
• Dazzles Disco & Nightclub; Outrigger Lounge & Disco
• Java Cafe; Breakers Bar; Longboard Bar; Sugarcane Mojito Bar; Topsiders Pool Bar
• Sky Atrium (midship atrium with large LED screen, dance floor and live entertainment)
• Atrium Cafe & Bar (specialty coffee and tea bar); The Coffee Bar
• Internet Cafe (24-hour); Art Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop
• Sky Club Casino
• Spinnaker Lounge and Bliss Ultra Lounge (late-night venues)
• Galleria Shops (duty-free shops); Colombian Emeralds International (jewelry, watches)
• Body Waves Spa & Fitness Centre (treatment rooms, sauna, herbal steam room, thalassotherapy pool, Beauty Salon; fitness center)
• 2 swimming pools, 5 whirlpools, table tennis
• Kids’ Corner Club; Splashes kids’ pool; The Zone Teen Club & Disco; Video Games Arcade
• Sports court; jogging track; golf nets

Itineraries

Norwegian Sky’s itinerary program is primarily based on 3- and 4-day Bahamas cruises from Miami, Florida, visiting Nassau and NCL’s private island Great Stirrup Cay.

• The 2017–2018 program included 4-night Cuba cruises with Havana overnights (May–December 2017), also visiting Great Stirrup Cay.
• Norwegian Sky made NCL’s first-ever Havana call on May 2, 2017. Fares for Cuba cruises started from USD 700 per person (including unlimited drinks).
• In 2018, NCL expanded the Cuba program to 63 itineraries—mostly with Havana overnights. The season (4-day Miami roundtrips) began March 26, 2018.
• The Cuba program used two Florida-based ships—Norwegian Sky (Miami) and Norwegian Sun (Port Canaveral). After the U.S. Government’s June 2019 ban on group travel to Cuba, NCL revised its schedules. All cruises beyond September 2, 2019 were canceled. Earlier itineraries were modified to remove Havana and include alternative ports in the Bahamas (Great Stirrup Cay, Freeport, Nassau) and Florida (Key West).

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Norwegian Sky was paused for two years (March 2020–2022), resuming service on March 2 with 3-, 4- and 5-day Miami–Bahamas cruises.

The ship’s 2023 schedule (September–October) included a short homeporting season in Baltimore, Maryland, offering 10- and 11-day Canada–New England itineraries between the USA and Canada (Baltimore and Quebec City) visiting Halifax, Bar Harbor, Shelburne Harbour, Oak Bluffs Marina and Baie-Comeau.

Norwegian Sky is a SKY-class NCL liner, with sisterships Norwegian Sun and Costa Victoria.

The vessel’s construction began as a newbuild ordered by Costa Cruises/Costa Crociere from Bremer Vulkan AG (a shipyard in Bremen, Germany, operating 1893–1997). She was the second unit in a planned pair of Costa newbuilds and was originally named “Costa Olympia”. Due to Bremer Vulkan’s financial collapse, construction was suspended when only about one-third of the vessel had been completed. On October 5, 1996, the incomplete hull was floated out of drydock.

Costa did not take delivery of the unfinished ship, which remained laid up until December 1997, when NCL purchased the hull (for approximately USD 30 million) and commissioned a full redesign under the new name “Norwegian Sky”, working with Tillberg Design of Sweden. The hull was towed to Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven on March 8, 1998, where construction resumed. The redesign included two additional cabin decks and various new features.

Norwegian Sky was officially delivered to and acquired by NCL on July 28, 1999.

The vessel (Bremer Vulkan yard/hull number 102650) is powered by three MAN marine diesel engines (model 6L58/64) and three MAN diesel generators (model 7L58/64), providing a total output of 50.7 MW (679,900 HP). Her diesel-electric propulsion system drives two controllable-pitch propellers (diameter 5.5 m).

The registered shipowner is NORWEGIAN SKY LTD (a subsidiary of NCLH), while the listed ship manager is NCL BAHAMAS LTD.

Norwegian Sky’s inaugural cruise (Maiden Voyage) departed on August 9, 1999, operating a Norwegian Fjords itinerary from Dover, England, and coinciding with the last total solar eclipse of the 20th century.

Her inaugural USA season began with sailings from Boston, MA to Canada–New England (September 18, 1999) and from Miami, FL to the Caribbean (November 14, 1999).

The vessel’s godparents were her entire crew. The christening took place during the August 9th voyage in 1999. Norwegian Sky operated under that name from 1999 to 2004. On July 4, 2004, she left drydock in San Francisco, CA as “Pride of Aloha”.

Pride of Aloha’s godmother was Margaret Awamura Inouye, wife of U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye (Hawaii). The ship operated exclusive Hawaiian Islands itineraries from 2004 to 2008. During this period, she was U.S.-flagged and sailed under the “NCL America” brand (an NCLH subsidiary). In 2006, she was joined in the fleet by Pride of Hawaii (now Norwegian Jade).

NCL initially planned to sell the vessel to Star Cruises (GHK-owned) and later announced intentions to sell her to Pullmantur (an RCL–Royal Caribbean brand in Spain). In May 2008, NCL confirmed that the ship would remain in the fleet. After being re-flagged to the Bahamas, she re-entered service as “Norwegian Sky”. Her second “Maiden Voyage” took place on July 14, 2008.

In early 2009, Norwegian Sky was sold to GHK (Genting Hong Kong). NCL operated her under a one-year charter, with options to extend the charter or repurchase the ship. On June 1, 2012, NCL exercised its purchase option and acquired the vessel for approximately USD 260 million.

Norwegian Sky was the first passenger ship to feature an Internet Café with satellite connectivity. This venue offered nine PC terminals providing 24-hour access for emailing, PC games, photo imaging, Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and printing. Access was priced at USD 20 per hour or USD 0.33 per minute. She was also NCL’s first ship equipped with a “Bridge Cam” providing 24-hour real-time forward views (updated every 15 minutes).

Since January 2016, all Norwegian Sky passengers sailing from Miami, FL have enjoyed free unlimited beverages, including alcoholic drinks (beers, wines, premium spirits) priced up to USD 11. Guests aged 3–20 receive unlimited soda and juices. As the oldest ship in the NCL fleet, Norwegian Sky primarily operates short Bahamas cruises (3- and 4-day Miami roundtrips) year-round. The all-inclusive beverage offer also applies on NCL’s private island Great Stirrup Cay, which is paired with Nassau in these itineraries.

In 2017, Norwegian Sky became NCL’s first ship to operate cruises to Cuba. The Cuba program (May–December 2017) offered 4-day Monday-departure roundtrips from PortMiami featuring overnight stays in Havana. The itinerary also included a call at Great Stirrup Cay. Bookings opened on February 21, 2017.

The table below shows Norwegian Sky’s first Cuba cruise (May 1–5) with port times.

The 4-day roundtrip Miami cruise fares started from USD 950 per person (double-occupancy inside cabin rates).

During the 2017 drydock refurbishment, the ship was retrofitted with new exhaust gas cleaning systems (“scrubbers”), reducing sulfur oxide emissions by approximately 1500 tons. Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise company to retrofit vessels in service with a hybrid scrubber system. The five lightweight in-line units can operate in dry mode as well as in open and closed loops.

During the 2019 drydock (January 25 – February 6), conducted at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas, renovations were made to the pool deck and several lounges, and a Starbucks Coffee Bar was added.

Drydock 2022 (January 5 – February 7) was carried out in France at Damen Shiprepair Brest.