I've heard all the negative posts on the NCL Sea being terrible--so how bad is it really? please give a balanced answer as I'm going to the Bahamas from NY (one of the few cruises that depart from NY and returns there). Also, any recommendations on what to do in Nassau, once I'm there. never been to the Carib before.

Just got back from an Easter Weekend 3 DayCruise on the NCL SEA to the Bahamas. This was our 2nd cruise, the 1st being aslo an NCL 4 day on the Majesty, last yr. <BR> <BR>The Sea is an aloder ship, and although they say there were multi-million renovations on it, the ship still does not seem "new". Although the ship is VERY clean, things like tarnished/pitted <BR>brass handrails and water stained windows led me to beleive that it was not a gut renovation, but a "face-lift" <BR> <BR>The cabins are small, but they don't take away from the enjoyment of the cruise. Again, the cabin furniture does not seem to have been replaced: they are a rose pink clored metal furniture, which was it was clean, it was eveidnet that it was original furniture. There is drawer space, a closet, and a shallow cabinet with shelfs. There is a small space behind the door to store 2 carry on size or slightly larger luggage. <BR>There is a full length mirror. Bathrm is small but adequate: yes, the shower is very small, but to compensate the water pressure was FANTASTIC, as was the HOT water(In those terms it was better than many land-based hotels I've stayed at with those awful water saver shower heads) <BR>Hair Dryer in bathrm, 2 soaps, shampoo, lotion, and bath gel given. <BR>Lighting was fine, no rm safes. <BR> <BR>We enjoyed the FreeStyle crusing concept alot - it's now like going to eat at a restaurant, where YOU decide when, where, and with whom you want to eat. We felt the service was excellentin the main dining rms where we had dinner all 3 nts, ( The 2 wine stewards on staff both remembered on the 2nd & 3rd nst that I had re-corked a bottle of wine) The food quality was very good in the Main dining rms, I would say on balance that the seafood is better prepared than the meat dishes. I was very surprised how well the seafood was prepared each nt. <BR>The Big Apple Cafe on the pool deck servesyour average cafeteria quality buffet food; which was fine for us for breakfast & lunch. ( You can't do too much to boxes of cereal/yogurt) <BR>There is an Omlet and waffle stations on the outside decks out by the pool. <BR>there is Bar-b-Q Lunch and dinner on the decks every daY too - Hamburgers/hot dogs for lunch - Grilled salmon, steaks, chicken with baked potatoe/salad/dessert for dinner. <BR> <BR>2 pools, 2 whirlpools - Never a problem getting a lounge chair either on pool deck or above. Excersire rm with very small saunas on upper deck. <BR> <BR>Shows were very entertaining: "Grease" was very good - "Sealegs Express" was a chessy show, but the performers dance non-stop in that show, so you have to give that too them! I was tired just watching them!! <BR>Theater sightlines were fine. <BR> <BR>Decent size gift shop - nice size casino with lots of machines <BR> <BR>Very small disco with teenagers early evening - Adults only after midnight <BR> <BR>Unlessyou want to go snorkeling, we took a trip on our own to The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island when we docked in Nassau. <BR>If you like a Las Vegas resort/type of place (which we do)then I would highly recommend this. Best way to Paradise Islandis too take the ferry boats that are at the front of the docking pier - only $6/rt per person! <BR> <BR>Once you get there, it's about a 10/15 walk to the resort. <BR> <BR>Casinos high-end shopping tropical aquarium tanks, and much more. <BR> <BR>We did not get off to the Private Island - we stayed on board and had a quite, crowd-free poolside morning/afternoon. If you do this, make sure you tkae towels EARLY - they don't have enough for all the people going off the boat and those staying on. <BR> <BR>All in all, although the Sea is not the newest or biggest or prettiest, the crew is friendly and accomodating, the food was very good, food service excellent, and for us the negatives in no way hindered our relaxing, and enjoyable trip. <BR> <BR>Please ask if you have other questions. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Anthony, <BR>Thanks for all your info-----we are also going on the Sea soon, and I was worried, but not anymore!

Anthony, thanks for all the GREAT tips!! i'm looking fwd to the trip now! (plus for the price i paid--very very very little--it seems like a deal.)

<BR>Hi Geena, <BR> <BR>Little advice ... do not take the ferry boat to Paradise Island. Not only do they make you wait forever to get the last person on the tub, you are packed in like a sardine. <BR> <BR>Bring your life vest. <BR> <BR>Better to take one of the vans for a dollar more. <BR> <BR>Paul