aelpern

I actually love NCL.  I know that there are some that don't...but I do.

 

I was on the Sky way back when it was new...probably 2002.  It was really great.  We had a big group and we had a blast.  Of course, back then, I had only been on 1 other cruise before that one so it was still very new and very exotic.

 

I am guessing here...but I believe that the Sky will be a much better ship than the Empress would have been.  It's bigger, newer and hasn't had the sordid history of Empress.

 

AND I am really looking forward to Freedom.  We were on her, in the Royal Family Suite, in May of 2015 and I'm looing forward to being on her again.  I have another "tribute" posting to do for Michelle on her heroic efforts and the outstanding deal she got for us, but I will do that elsewhere.  Just know that I made a VERY good decision to exchange the 5 day Empress for the 7 day Freedom.  Airfare was a different story.  That wasn't so wonderful, but I did what I had to do.

 

Whatever you decide to do...enjoy yourself.

 

 ...and this, too, shall pass.... 

You mentioned that you exchanged the 5 day Empress for a 7 day Freedom, I assume you had to pay the difference?  RCL refused to do anything for me in that regard other than move my money over and let me pay the difference.