Part 2: Mixed (or even disappointed) review of the NCL Sky Indian Ocean cruise from April 19 to May 3, 2025

Hi there,

I hit my photo limit on the other post, so I’m forced to start a new one to continue this travel journal.

Victoria / Mahé continued:

After Anse Intendance, we head to Police Bay, located at the very southern tip of Mahé. Swimming and snorkeling aren’t ideal there (lots of waves)—just for the view!









On the way back, we stopped to visit some "typical" Seychellois houses, including one of the oldest.







We got back to the port around 6:30 PM, with memories filling our heads.

We were really happy with this day, and our guide/driver was exceptional! We even gave him a nice tip.

Dinner at the restaurant:







To be continued: Day at sea and Nosy Be

Day at Sea & Nosy Be

Nothing special about this day at sea except that the deck chairs were snapped up by 7 AM.

Nosy Be 10 AM / 6 PM

Disembarkation by tender.

Tour operators pick up excursion-goers directly at the gateway.

Ticket distribution started at 8 AM. I showed up around 8 AM, and there was already a long line—I got number 7.

Unlike La Digue, disembarkation was super smooth—we were ashore in under 30 minutes. They really turned things around.

I’d booked a full-day 4x4 tour through "Mada Tours" for 100 €: Hell Ville, Nosy Be Market, Ambanoro, West Coast Road...

Welcome committee













To be continued...

Nosy Be: Update

The plan got completely turned upside down because after 2 hours, my wife was in too much back pain, so we decided to cancel everything and head straight to Andilana Beach (which we already know) to relax a bit.







That said, now we’re really more at ease because not only is there security, but there’s also a rope to keep street vendors from bothering tourists. We rented two sun loungers for the day and had a lovely time.













To be continued...

Nosy Be: Continued

On the way back, we stopped in the city center at Dzama (across from the town hall) to stock up on rum (a case of 6 bottles).

Of course, the box will be confiscated when boarding the ship and delivered to me the day before disembarkation.

Photos taken in the tender on the way back:



Dinner at Le Bistro restaurant, and once again, it wasn’t worth the $60 extra!!!











Coming up: Sea day

Hi Alfre99410,

Your photos are dreamy—thanks for sharing this cruise and the discoveries of places we’ll never get to visit due to health reasons. Mum49

Hello Alfre99410,

Your photos are dreamy—thank you for sharing this cruise and the discoveries of places we’ll never get to visit due to health reasons. Mum49

Good evening Guylene,

Thanks for the kind words!

I totally get it—it’s not easy to take long trips when you have health issues. That’s why we try to do as many far-flung trips as possible now, because later on, it might get complicated.

Antsiranana (Madagascar) – but it’ll turn into a sea day instead

Up at 6 AM to watch the ship arrive, and to my surprise, I see we’re quite far from the port. I figured it was probably running late.





I head up to the buffet for something to eat, and then I get a message from our tour operator (Mada Tours) saying they’ve been at the port since 6 AM and don’t understand why the ship still hasn’t docked. I thought, *something must be up...*

A few minutes later, the captain announces that the stop is canceled because there’s a storm coming (between Madagascar and Mauritius), so he’d rather skip this port to avoid it. He also mentioned that all port fees and excursions would be credited back to our accounts...

I messaged my tour operator to let them know the stop was canceled. They were really disappointed, and I get it.

Sure, I’ve already been to Antsiranana, but I’d booked a full-day excursion (through a local agency) with quite a few visits... Oh well!

So, we’re in for a day at sea—but it’s going to be rough since we’re heading straight into that storm. By midday, they had to close the different decks, the pool, and the jacuzzis...

We ended up with two rough days at sea before reaching Port Louis (Mauritius).

Next up: Mauritius

That’s why we try to take as many long-haul trips as possible—later on, it might get complicated.

Good evening Alfred, That’s exactly what we did, and we don’t regret it at all! It’s so frustrating and disappointing to have it canceled at the last minute with the port in sight.

Hi Catherine,

Yeah, it’s really frustrating because we were a bit surprised and definitely didn’t expect that cancellation. On the other hand, they were pretty fair about refunding the port taxes—way better than RCCL, where we had to chase them down multiple times to get ours.

Not everything’s bad with NCL—there are still some positives. But we ended up on a "rotten" ship (quoting a Mauritian server).

Mauritius (OVN) I’m no stranger to Mauritius since I come here quite often—whether for cruises, vacations, or work trips.



Originally, we wanted to get a "day pass" at the Le Méridien hotel for a relaxing day, but at the last minute, we decided to do something different (meaning, hire a taxi for the day).

The ship docks very early in the morning (around 5 AM) but in the old port because the new port can’t accommodate large ships.

However, this port isn’t welcoming at all—everything happens under plastic tarps with a few chairs and fans (nothing like Dubai or Abu Dhabi). Anyway, I’ll talk more about the setup tomorrow.

By the way, why build a brand-new port if it’s only for small boats?!

After a quick stop at the buffet to grab something to eat (the selection is always very limited), we head out. This morning, there were barely any fresh fruits left, so we just took some milk and cereal. We disembark to negotiate a taxi for the day.

Welcome committee with those infamous tarps in the background

On the dock, taxis are lined up, and they pounce on customers.

After a few minutes of discussion, we agreed on 100 € for the day (island tour & beaches). I know this island well, so I made it clear to the driver: NO SHOPS!!! He got the message.

We started with Trou aux Biches. On the road to Trou aux Biches







Trou aux Biches Beach











To be continued...

Mauritius (continued)

After spending a good two hours at Trou aux Biches, we hit the road again for Belle Mare.









Then we head to Mont Choisy, where we’ll spend a good part of the day—lunch on the beach and all.









To be continued...

Mauritius (continued)

After spending some time in Mont Choisy, we head to Bereybere. The beach is small but really beautiful! Swimming and relaxing (about 2 hours).















We were supposed to stop at Cap Malheureux, but the driver couldn’t find a parking spot. Since we’ve already been there, I told him we could just keep going (same for Grand Baie).



To be continued...

Hi Alfred,

Thanks for these amazing photos. I’m not familiar with Mauritius, and I’m surprised to see so few people on the beaches. Is that normal?

Hi Alfred,

Thanks for these amazing photos. I’ve never been to Mauritius, and I’m surprised to see so few people on the beaches. Is that normal?

Good evening Catherine,

On weekdays, most beaches in Mauritius aren’t "crowded" (except for those near hotels, and even then, it’s not too bad). However, on weekends, some beaches (like Grand Baie) do get a bit busier, but they’re still not overcrowded.

Mauritius (continued)

To wrap up our tour, we stopped in downtown Port Louis to visit the market and the surrounding area.

















Back on the ship around 6 PM to pack our suitcases since we disembark tomorrow. Last drink before bed.



A farewell honor guard at the theater exit to say goodbye.

To be continued: Disembarkation and final thoughts.

Hi Alfre99410,

A really beautiful cruise with stunning landscapes and sunshine. Thanks so much for sharing! Mum49

Hello Alfre99410,

A beautiful cruise with stunning landscapes and sunshine. Thanks so much for sharing. Mum49

Thanks Guylene for your message!

Disembarkation:

The day before, I went to reception to remove the tips and give envelopes to those who served us so they wouldn’t be penalized.

It’s not my usual habit, but I decided to do it just for the ship and certain services.

I went to the ATM in the casino and withdrew $250 to distribute to different people (cabin steward, several waiters, an Ecuadorian receptionist who speaks perfect French, bartenders...).

The luggage tags aren’t distributed in the cabins—they’re available at reception. You take the ones that work for you with the time that suits you. I think this system is really great! From what I remember, you can disembark until 9:30 AM, but you have to vacate the cabin by 8 AM.

As for us, we decided to leave the ship around 9 AM.

Up at 7 AM, and by 8:30 AM, we went to the meet-up point (the Bliss Bar), where people wait for their color to appear on the screen. That part was well organized and very smooth.

However, once we got to the hangar under the tarps, it was total chaos: crowds everywhere, mixed-up luggage, and it was super hot... Honestly, this port isn’t at all suited for embarkation and disembarkation. It’s fine for stopovers, but not for anything else. In short, everything needs to be rethought on Mauritius’s end. What a shame!

I had asked our driver from yesterday to pick us up and take us on a tour of Chamarel (to visit the Seven Colored Earth and the waterfall) before heading to the airport.

The sky was very overcast, and a few minutes later, it started pouring (a real downpour). Our driver told us the weather wasn’t going to improve, according to the forecast. So, we decided to cancel everything and go straight to the airport.

Conclusion: I’m the kind of person who sees the glass as half full rather than half empty.

I’m lucky to be able to go on beautiful cruises, so no matter what happens, I try to stay positive because there are people who would love to be in my shoes. Besides, even in the negative, there’s always something positive...

Originally, I chose this cruise not for the ship but for the itinerary. Honestly, we were very satisfied with our choice because the stopovers were truly MAGICAL: beaches, landscapes more beautiful than the last, memories to last a lifetime, and the weather was perfect almost everywhere... In fact, I’m ready to do it again.

Too bad two stopovers were canceled (Réunion and Antsiranana), but that’s part of the unpredictability of cruises. As far as I’m concerned, I’ve had stopovers canceled on almost every cruise I’ve taken.

Regarding NCL, I think there’s good and bad (like all cruise lines). However, this ship wasn’t at all worthy of a cruise ship. In fact, I read on *cruisenapper.com* that this ship, along with the NCL Sun, will leave the company’s fleet to join Cordelia Cruise in early 2026. Phew, and not a moment too soon!

Positive points: · The food is excellent in the different restaurants (lunch/dinner) · The More At Sea package is really TOP (even premium spirits are included) · If you have onboard credits, you can get your money back in cash the day before departure (that’s exceptional), and there’s a dedicated counter at reception for this · The kindness of the staff despite the ship’s deplorable condition

Negative points: · The ship is "rotting" · Poorly designed, outdated, cramped cabins... · The buffet is awful (not worthy of a cruise) · Very little outdoor space to relax · A real struggle to find a deck chair in the mornings on sea days · The specialty restaurants (extra $60) aren’t worth it · The internet package (300 minutes for the entire cruise)

Thanks for reading, and I hope this review took you on a little journey!

Thanks to everyone for your encouraging messages!

See you soon for more adventures! Alfred

Hi Alfred, Thanks for sharing this beautiful trip and all those stunning photos that make us dream. It was your optimism that saved this cruise, despite the ship’s discomfort, and it was the best option. 😉 As soon as you choose amazing off-the-beaten-path itineraries, the ships tend to be older—that’s always been the case. But this one seems to take the prize for the worst. It’s nice of you to give us hope that the next ship covering this route will be in better shape. 😏

Hi there, Thanks for this really thorough review and the great photo! I had exactly the same conclusions as you about the negative points on the NCL Sun ship—the lunch buffet was a total disaster, can’t believe that’s possible. Sure, the included restaurants in the package weren’t bad, but paying $60 for the others? No way. Mich74

Kudos for your really great and interesting travel journal. It’s rare to see a cruiser with around sixty cruises under their belt still sharing their experiences with others... Thanks! I remember a PAP who used to share their experiences, and I followed their stories closely—then suddenly disappeared from VF... Too bad...

Hi Alfred, Thanks for this wonderful shared trip and all those beautiful images that make us dream. It was your optimism that saved this cruise, despite the ship’s discomfort, and it was still the best option. 😉 Whenever you choose off-the-beaten-path itineraries, the ships tend to be older—that’s always been the case. But this one seems to take the prize for the worst. It’s nice of you to give us hope that the next ship covering this route will be in better shape.

Hey Catherine,

Thanks for your message!

This cruise could’ve been perfect, but the ship (partly) ruined our enjoyment.

I always try to stay positive no matter what because there are worse things in life. Still, I came back with my head full of memories...

You just have to accept it—when you want to do an unusual cruise, you can’t expect a brand-new ship. That said, I’ve had "old" ships before, but this one wasn’t up to par for this cruise (even after renovations).

Hello, Thanks for this really thorough review and the great photo! Exactly the same conclusions as me regarding the negatives on the Sun NCL ship—the midday buffet was a disaster, can’t believe that’s possible. The included restaurants in the package were okay, but definitely not worth paying $60 for. Mich74

Hey Michel,

The Sun is the sister ship of the Sky. So they’re the same boats, which is why they’re leaving the NCL fleet.

We totally agree on the buffet. Honestly, even Costa does it better—it’s shameful to see that on a cruise ship!

As for the specialty restaurants, it’s clear they’re not worth the $60 since they’re too basic and not refined enough.

Congrats on your very beautiful and interesting trip report. It’s rare to see a cruiser with sixty cruises under their belt still sharing their experiences with others... Thank you. I remember a PAP who used to share their experiences, and I followed their stories closely—then suddenly they disappeared from VF... Too bad...

Hi Gilberte,

Thanks for your message!

It’s always a pleasure for me to share my cruises with others, and I think that’s what this forum is all about. I’m not a pro at writing trip reports, but I try my best to make them enjoyable for readers.

I miss PAP’s posts too. Maybe one day they’ll come back with more of their great stories.

Hi there, Thanks so much for taking the time to share those paradise-like landscapes—it really made me dream! Do you know if other cruise lines or even NCL have Indian Ocean cruises planned for next year? I’d really love to give it a try! 😊

Hello, Thank you so much for taking the time to make us dream with those paradise landscapes. Do you know if other companies or even NCL are offering cruises in the Indian Ocean next year? I really want to try it out 😊

Hi Marie Christine,

Thanks for your message!

Very few companies sail the Indian Ocean, which is why I chose this ship—the itinerary really appealed to me.

From my research on different sites, NCL hasn’t scheduled any Indian Ocean cruises for next year. However, Le PONANT and AIDA offer cruises almost the entire winter season in the Indian Ocean. You might want to check out Seascanner.com (among others) to see which companies go to that destination.

As for me, I just booked a 3-week cruise for next year with Mein Schiff (a first for me) that will cover part of the Indian Ocean and South Africa.

Happy to answer any other questions if you need!

Alfred

Good evening, I’ll look into all this, but PONANT is too expensive for us, and we don’t speak any German at all—I think it needs to be translated into English. Thanks so much! 😊

Good evening, I’ll look into all this, but PONANT is too expensive for us, and we don’t speak any German at all. I think it should be translated into English—thanks so much! 😊

Hi Marie Christine,

True, PONANT isn’t cheap, but it’s a luxury line that (supposedly) offers great service.

As for the German cruise lines (AIDA and MEIN SCHIFF), everything is in German, but you can request menus and other documents in English (or even French).

I don’t speak German either, but I’m willing to take the risk and try MEIN SCHIFF next year. They have unique itineraries with very attractive prices, and it’s all-inclusive... So I’ll give it a shot and see how it goes.

Happy researching, and keep us posted!