Norwegian Sky

The main pool deck has two large pools with four hot tubs in the middle, a stage for the DJ and a Caribbean band, and a pool bar serving both the upper and lower decks. The sun deck above wraps around the front of the ship, with Champs bar and spots in sun or shade. Up top and forward there is a separate family pool with a kids' pool and hot tub, plus a sports court and a golf driving range.

The Garden Cafe is the casual buffet, with made-to-order pasta, a panini press, a salad bar, rotating hot entrees, a breakfast station for eggs, pancakes and waffles, and complimentary soft-serve and drink stations. All the way aft, The Great Outdoors adds its own buffet with Indian dishes, burgers and hot dogs, a full bar, and tables under a large tent or along the stern. Next door, The Local Bar & Grill serves until the early morning.

Cagney's Steakhouse is one of Norwegian's original specialty restaurants, named for Jimmy Cagney, with premium cuts, starters and seafood every evening. Suite guests also have breakfast and lunch there every day, one of the best reasons to book a suite on Sky. Right next door, the Pinnacle Lounge has a big bar and plenty of lounge seating, plus a full sushi bar (extra cost) for rolls, sushi and sashimi before or after dinner.

The Spinnaker Lounge sits all the way forward at the top of the ship, with floor-to-ceiling windows wrapping around the bow. In the evening it comes alive with a piano, a full bandstand, a dance floor and live music. During the day it is a bright, calm spot to read or watch the sea, with activities throughout the day. It also has its own forward observation deck for fresh air and photos.

The Mandara Spa offers massages, facials and body wraps, including treatment rooms for couples, along with a salon for hair, manicures and pedicures. The men's and women's locker rooms each have a steam room and sauna, so guests can go back and forth between them. Next door, the Pulse Fitness Center has treadmills facing the ocean, bikes, weights and circuit machines, plus classes from yoga to spinning and personal training.

The Bliss Ultra Lounge is the ship's nightlife spot, with lounge seating, a stage, a full dance floor and lighting, and a bar that runs the entire length of the room. During the day it hosts activities like trivia. For something more laid-back, the Sugarcane Mojito Bar has a Caribbean feel and a full bar, and it is the place on board for a fresh mojito. The theater, with stadium seating and a balcony, stages Broadway-style shows included in the fare.

The atrium rises several decks under a large skylight, with glass elevators on either side. At its base are guest services, the restaurant reservations desk and the shore excursions desk. The Atrium Bar has seating along the windows and live piano music later in the day. Nearby, the casino has slots and table games including blackjack, roulette, craps and poker, and the ship also has duty-free shops and a Starbucks.

Le Bistro is one of the fan favorites among the specialty restaurants, with a classic French menu that runs from escargot to beef tenderloin, duck and lobster thermidor. It sits along the side of the ship, with booths and tables for two lining the windows, so there's not a bad seat in the house. Wine and champagne pairings round out the meal. Crossings and Palace are the complimentary main dining rooms, with the same menu.