need2cruise

Been on on oasis and enjoyed solarium. Thinking of allure cruise in September but heard there is no solarium pool. Is this correct....I looked at deck plans and no pool noted but neither did oasis deck plans show pool.

Is that the maharajah lounge? What sort of times ?

I believe that's what it was called ..not sure of the times but it was in the evening

How was the the Spirit? Did you enjoy the ship?Thanks

Spirit is very nice ship especially being older ship...entertainment was great...service hit and miss but not horrible ...was a bit disappointed with the food...overall enjoyed cruise...was 10 night western med out of Rome...just got off ship Oct 1

Does anyone recently off spirit know if they have any Karaoke onboard as friends of ours are big fans and like singing

As of last month they did in lounge past casino

Just did western Mediterranean on spirit end of September... Seas were calm...had midship cabin felt very little but as previous poster stated depends also on seas....just be prepared for all scenarios....

Hi,

 

For those just back from Spirit, what was entertainment like ? Was there anything on in Henry's pub like singers,karaoke etc and were shows good. We are on in January so maybe inside a bit more than in Summer

I felt that the entertainment was very good...production shows and headliner acts...unfortunately missed crew talent show but others said it was very good....didn't see much in Henry's pub ...the couple times I stopped in there few people and no entertainment...really nice pub though

Thanks!

Couple questions actually!

 

- How was the vibe on the ship? Old, young? Couples? Families?

 

- How was the food and what was the best place to eat in your opinion?

 

-Where did you cruise to? We are doing the 10 Day Eastern Mediterranean cruise so any feedback on that would be helpful too.

 

thanks!!![/quote

We did western Mediterranean...great itinerary really port intensive...seemed to mostly older crowd ..I would say 50s and above.....very few kids...ad stated by someone else food in dining room and buffet ok not memorable...pizza at buffet was awful in my opinion....loved the food at shogun...went twice...ship was beautiful and entertainment was great....service in MDR really hit or miss....actually only 1 night the service was very good but couldn't get the same servers again....

Thanks for the input everyone! This is our first cruise ever so we aren't sure what to expect but we are optimistic and excited for our trip!

Just off spirit Oct 1....public areas all look good....furnishings in rooms haven't been changed but soft goods seem to have been....beds were great with comfy pillows...any questions?

of course you knew when you posted mostly you would be getting answers from those of us that do not totally agree with you. I wonder how long it has been since you cruised: Other lines are adding room service fees as well: Most everyone that drinks much at all opts for the drink package or UBP as one of their promo perks and as for food, it is subjective. We happen to think the food is pretty much like most lines with the buffet being a 1/2 step up from some, but we are not huge buffet eaters. We love the many dining options available on NCL. I will agree, in our opinion service in the MDR can be very spotty and not using real butter: not acceptable to us. I am glad you still enjoyed your cruise. There are reasons we have so many cruise choices; what line works for one of us, does not for others. For us, it happens to be Princess that we stay away from;)

I am curious as to why you stay away from princess...would love to hear why...

Our granddaughter and hubby did RCI not to long ago: there biggest complaint was nickel and diming. I have never felt that way on NCL. Don't want it, don't take it. And I also do not think the drink prices are very different from other lines. They were a little less on Princess the last time we sailed. Drinks are just out of line period anymore. .DRinkiwailrithin

Just so you know....we cruise quite often...and I know most cruise lines are getting into the nickel and dining...drinks across all lines seem to be going into the stratosphere...although I will say Holland America this past march drinks were less expensive compared to royal and NCL...my statement about any questions was if anyone wanted to know any particulars about the Spirit....but its true thankfully there are choices...after experiencing NCL Spirit and not having sailed NCL for awhile it probably won't be my line of choice...maybe one of newer ships may be a different experience...like I said it was a good cruise especially if you were a first time cruiser ...just not up to past cruise experiences

My

Food is subjective and I'm on day 6 of my Spirit cruise. The breakfast has been excellent at the buffet and disappointing in the MDR. Lunch at the buffet has been similar to my last 4 cruises. Dinner in the MDR has actually exceeded my expectations but that's because I read too many reviews �� The buffet was disappointing at dinner as it was good on our previous NCL cruises.

I've adjusted and meals will be fine for the remainder of the cruise.

 

I'm disappointed that no one has tried to sell me anything but photo ops. I must be dressing to casual ��

My main problem with the breakfast buffet was getting real butter....lol:D:D....hated that butter delight they put out....I like the real presidente butter even had hard time getting it for dinner bread...I know it minor but it was one of the little things that added up to my NCL disappointment....but the itinerary was awesome....what do you think of the pizza on the buffet?

Why were you "disappointed in NCL product"?

Not happy with the food...I know food tastes are subjective but felt quality of food was way below compared to other cruise lines...didn't like nickel and dime especially 7.95 room service charge....drink prices are ridiculous...cabin steward just was ok...forgot little things....overall it was an ok cruise....entertainment was very good....service in main dining room very inconsistent....ship was nice and clean...

Just back from spirit 10 night western Med. Disappointed in NCL product....any questions feel free to ask

Any suggestions regarding taking ferry over to reggio calabria

We are planning to drive to Venice in September after getting off NCL spirit....may I ask who you rented your car from or private transfer...first time doing this and need suggestions....thanks

We will be driving (private transfer) from Civitevecchia to Venice. We'd like to stop for approximately two hours in the Tuscany region at a nice scenic winery for lunch. We'd also like to make a second stop for about an hour along the way. The tour company suggested to pick from the following: GROSSETO, SIENA, SAN GIMIGNANO OR CHIANTI AREA ie Greve in Chianti or Castellina, FLORENCE, BOLOGNA, FERRARA, PADUA.

We have already been to Florence and Orievto.

We would appreciate some suggestions of where to stop from our fellow cruisecritic members. It does not have to be from the list they provided but it does have to be on the way to Venice. We do not want to deviate to far off the route as we're already planning for it to be a long day.

Yes...we had seen them perform it earlier and my wife asked requested it...first said thought they wouldn't have time but they squeezed it in...can't say enough about the band

...purple rain performance was incredible along with other standout performances

Did you catch Purple Rain the last night on the 25th? WoW is right.

I don't recall this being offered on this cruise

Thanks for for your review. Do you know if they have the Le Cirque dining option? If so do you know how to book online as I can not find it on the website? I hear it books out before sailing? Any advise? Thanks.

They played some blues music along with a lot of contemporary hits....just totally enjoyable

I am sailing on the Nieuw Amsterdam in Nov/Dec, so I am glad to hear you enjoyed the band. What kind of music did they play?

Just off nieuw amsterdam this past Sunday and I have to make a statement about the the b b kings blues club....Just Wow....the band there was amazing ...felt like being at a concert...we enjoyed just sitting there watching and listening and drinking to the band...they were fantastic and very personable to talk to....one of the highlights of the cruise.

Just of the nieuw amsterdam and had signature package and it is up to oneself to keep tabs of the number of drinks....did get receipt each time but it doesn't show a running total off beverages purchased for the day

Is it up to the passenger to keep a running tally of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to ensure (s)he doesn't go over the magic number of 15, or does one get a charge slip indicating how many have been consumed that day?

I believe it opened at 6am...coffee was great and so are the little pastries.. Hope you enjoy your cruise as much as we did

Thank you for the review! We board on Sunday, and I can't wait. Did you happen to notice what time Explorations Cafe opened? I am an early riser and would like to be able to get a fancy coffee each morning.

 

Glad you enjoyed your trip!

 

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First time Holland America Cruise and loved the NIeuw Amsterdam

This was part of a charter cruise so may not be accurate assesment

Check In: Very smooth,organized. At pier around 11am and onboard eating by noon

Cabin: Outside Fully obstructed with lots of storage bathroom had tub

Cabin Steward was excellent.

Food: somewhat disappointed in the MDR food. Service was excellent, food ok, French Onion soup

was delicious,Steak and prime rib were just ok.

Buffet food for all meals was very good, lots of choices,loved pasta station, salad station,

waffle station. NY Strip steak and prime rib much better at buffet, food seamed fresher. Pizza

was delicious especially The Bronx.

Drinks: Had signature package and found it difficult to get to the max 15 daily limit. Becareful when ordering

know what drinks are allowed as tthe bartenders dont automatically advise if drink ordered is

included in your specific package. Cant really fault bartender as they really dont know what

package you have purchased. Coffee in explorations cafe was very good.

Service: Excellent service all around. Especially in the explorations cafe and cabana attendants.

Cabanas: Had a Lido Cabana and felt very much worth the additional $. Service was excellent especially

our cabana guy Ron.

Entertainment: B.B Kings Blues Club...cant say enough about the b.b.kings all star band....they were

absolutely phenomenal....spent many hours there drinking and listening to much...felt like a

concert....and the band were extremely friendly and gracious when in between sets and

around ship....whole lot of talent in that group.

All around a great cruise....any questions?

this is good to know.... i need all the HAL tips since this is our first HAL cruise

The NA does have a free men's and women's sauna room. The coed steam room is located in the thermal suite area. This does have a charge for use. The rate depends on the length of your cruise and can be purchased the 1st day from the spa area.

Thank you....this will be our first HAL cruise.

new to HAL....