The easiest and cheapest way to get on a short cruise ship getaway is to head down to Miami, Florida and take a three night Bahamas excursion. Sure, if you’re timing is right, you can even get an inside stateroom on some of these ships for anywhere from $99 to $125 per person, plus taxes.
But, what about the other end of the spectrum? If you have the financial means but not necessarily the time for a longer cruise, why not spend a few nights in a suite on the water? Let’s take a look at what two different cruise lines have to offer in the way of what are basically one bedroom apartments with a balcony to die for.
Both the Norwegian Sky and Majesty of the Seas are medium sized cruise ship that are aging gracefully. both were put in service during the 1990’s. Both are based in Miami and alternate three and four night itineraries to the Bahamas. Both will be embarking on Friday, June 20, 2014 for a three night Bahamas cruise. The date is totally arbitrary and just for reference. The pricing is as of April 7, 2014 and is just for comparison.
Norwegian Sky – Norwegian Cruise Line
Itinerary
Norwegian Sky embarks from Miami, Florida at 5pm on Friday, June 20. She arrives back at Miami for 7am on Monday, June 23. In between, Sky makes two port calls in the Bahamas.First up is Nassau, the largest centre in the Bahamas. Norwegian Sky docks here on Saturday, June 21 from 8am until 5pm.
After partying all day in Nassau and all night onboard the ship, it’s a peaceful day in the sun on Sunday, June 22 at Great Stirrup Cay. The hours on shore are once again from 8am until 5pm. Great Stirrup Cay is a small island in the Berry Islands that has been owned by Norwegian Cruise Line since 1977. It is adjacent to Little Stirrup Island, aka Coco Cay. Coco Cay is a private island owned by Royal Caribbean and is a stop for Majesty of the Seas.
Owner’s Suite with Large Balcony
Onboard Norwegian Sky, the best of the best is an Owner’s Suite with Large Balcony. This is a 835 square foot apartment that can accommodate up to five guests. As with any deluxe one bedroom apartment on land, the Owner’s Suite has a living room, dining room and a separate bedroom with a king size bed. The massive balcony features a hot tub. The room comes with butler and concierge service.
For our June 20, 2014 cruise, this stateroom has a price tag of $2,149 per person. In addition, there is $95.67 per person in government fees and taxes.
Ship Details
Built by Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven, Germany, Norwegian Sky made her maiden voyage on August 9, 1999. The ship was renamed Pride of Aloha from 2004 to 2008 before returning to life as Norwegian Sky.
This a medium sized ship with a gross tonnage of 77,104. Sky is 260 metres or 853 feet in length and has nine decks accessible to passengers. Capacity is for 2,004 guests and 934 crew members.
Norwegian Sky boasts the first ever pizza delivery service at sea. For $5, you can have a pizza delivered to your stateroom, or anywhere else on the ship. I’m not sure if they have a 30 minutes or free policy…
If you want to stray out of your luxury suite, there are nine bars and lounges onboard, along with the standard casino, fitness and wellness facilities, pools and hot tubs. In addition to the dining facilities included in your fare, there are three specialty restaurants which come with additional fees. These include an American style steakhouse, Italian and French gourmet.
Majesty of the Seas – Royal Caribbean
Itinerary
Majesty of the Seas embarks from Miami at 4:30pm on Friday, June 20. She returns to her home port for 7am on Monday, June 23. Along the way, Majesty makes two stops. Similar to Norwegian Sky, Majesty’s itinerary is basically in reverse.
On Saturday, June 21, Majesty of the Seas stops at Coco Cay, previously known as Little Stirrup Cay. She is anchored off this tiny island in the Berry Islands from 8am until 5pm. Coco Cay is just 1000 metres by 200 metres in size. The following day, Majesty travels the 55 miles south to Nassau where she docks from 8am until 5pm.
Royal Suite with Balcony
Very similar to what Norwegian Sky has to offer, the Royal Suite with Balcony is the top of the line on Majesty of the Seas. The total space that is yours for three nights comes to 847 square feet. There is a separate bedroom with king size bed along with a living room and dining room. What Majesty has extra is an in suite wet bar.
A little more expensive than Norwegian’s Owner’s Suite, the Royal Suite for the June 20 sailing is $2,389 per person. There is an additional $93 per person in government fees and taxes.
Ship Details
The oldest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet, Majesty of the Seas made her maiden voyage on April 4, 1992 after being built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in St. Nazaire, France. Another medium to small sized ship, Majesty has a gross tonnage of 73,941. She is 268 metres or 880 feet in length and has eleven decks accessible to passengers. Capacity is for 2,744 guests and 833 crew members.
Similar to Norwegian Sky, Majesty has nine bars and lounges with all the usual, including casino, fitness and wellness facilities, pools and hot tubs. Majesty of the Seas offers a little more in specialty dining. For what it’s worth, Majesty also offers a rock climbing wall.
Carnival Ecstasy
Ecstasy embarks from Miami on the same day, also for a three night Bahamas cruise. Ecstasy’s itinerary is unique in that there is only one port of call. However, that one stop is an overnight at Nassau. The ship, however, didn’t have a comparable uber luxury suite so it wasn’t included in the comparison.
