Cruise Log (Very Long): Aboard the NCL Spirit, 9 day Canary Islands and Morocco Oct 2

Preface: This was our second NCL cruise and we've definitely become fans of the Freestyle lifestyle. We're not partiers or late night people, so can't comment on shows, etc. but we'll give you a little taste of a relaxed "suite life" lifestyle aboard this beautiful ship. Happy to answer any specific questions that CC'ers may have.

A word of advice about this itinerary: The ports are awesome, beautiful places, so different from "mainstream" Caribbean destinations. Exotic is the word that best describes this itinerary. HOWEVER: this is a North Atlantic sailing and our Captain confirmed that rough seas are the norm. If you have even slight tendency toward seasickness, GET SCOPOLAMINE PATCHES if you can. Even very experienced cruisers got seasick during this trip. The patch will help you enjoy every moment of this incredible voyage. They surely saved me!

Also, because of Mother Nature, we had an "interesting experience" on Day 3 and a missed port during the trip. Despite these, we had a wonderful cruise. Please read on.....

Precruise: 3 days in Barcelona

Given the unpredictability of international travel, we decide to arrive in Barcelona 3 days ahead of our cruise departure date. Our hotel was the Renaissance Barcelona, an NCL program hotel, though we booked on our own, using Marriott points. With a mild concern for a possible language barrier, (we know very little Spanish and no Catalan) we decided to engage a tour guide to show us the city.

The hotel was a fine choice, very centrally located and an easy stroll to Las Ramblas and other sights. Housekeeping services were a bit spotty, had to ask for more than 1 towel, replenishment of soap, etc, though everything was kept very clean. We did have to call and request housekeeping at about 4 pm one day, seems we'd been overlooked. These are very minor annoyances, though. Our room was very spacious with an extremely comfortable king bed, and was on the 6th floor, directly over the main entrance. Surprisingly, we were not a bit bothered by street noise. On our final night, however we did have a late arriving neighbor who decided to have a long and loud phone conversation at 3 am. Ah, such is hotel life! A word of advice: consider springing for a few extra bucks to upgrade to an Executive Room. Though there is no Executive Floor, you will enjoy a larger room, complimentary breakfast at the excellent buffet, and free wifi.

We cannot say enough about Nancy Daum Dailey of Enchanting Barcelona Tours. Her (as of this writing) perfect 5 star rating on Trip Advisor is well deserved. We spent 2 full days with her, seeing all of the city highlights, entering attractions with ease and without lines. Nancy provided great detail on the history and significance of every sight we saw. She was an absolute delight to spend time with. We had not used a private tour guide during past travels, but after this experience, I'd very highly consider that for any trip abroad. For those wanting her contact information: http://www.enchantingbarcelonatours.com

Barcelona is a beautiful and eclectic mix of old and new, a very clean and well kept city. We're looking forward to another small dose when we return from the cruise.

Embarkation Day:

Taxi fare to the pier from the Renaissance was €15; it's about a 15 minute ride. We arrived at about 12:30 pm and lines were already forming, even for suite passengers. Check in was easy and we were whisked to the Concierge Lounge to meet Yahira. After a bit of small talk, we were escorted to our Owners Suite cabin, 9708, the Tokyo Suite.

The cabin was exactly as I expected from photos posted of the only other Owners Suite on the ship. The half bath in this cabin proved to be very handy, even though there were only two of us traveling. Although Spirit is showing a little age in some places, our cabin was beautifully appointed and updated. With so many sea days in this itinerary, it's nice to have a larger cabin for rest and relaxation. The wraparound balcony is comfortable, spacious for two and very calm, at the aft of the ship. This was our first time in an aft cabin and we'd definitely do it again. However, light sleepers should know that there is very noticeable engine vibration in the cabin when the ship is operating at or near full power. (Fortunately, that doesn't happen often.) This was not a bother to us, but it might disturb some.

We enjoyed a fantastic dinner at Cagney's, with sumptuous steaks and a wonderful bottle of 2005 Opus One to kick off our cruise. The wine was perfectly served, decanted and allowed to open in the glass before drinking. Proof positive of excellent training of the servers.

Day 2: At Sea

Some folks prefer cruises with few or no sea days - if you're among them, this may not be the itinerary for you. There are a total of 5 sea days on this trip. If, however, you're attracted by the notion of 50% forced relaxation time you'll probably greatly enjoy yourself.

We're early risers, so brewed up our Lavazza coffee (still prefer good ol'American drip, but you learn to love what you have) and headed out to the balcony to welcome the sun. No wind on the aft and warm air temperatures made for a very pleasant morning. After coffee, I enjoyed the 8 am yoga class. If you sign upon Day 1 for at least 3 of the 4 yoga classes offered during the cruise, you'll pay a mere $10 per class. This offer also applies to the other fitness class series, such as Pilates and Cycle. TRX Suspension, and Body Sculpt boot camp are also offered in a series, with a discount for registering in advance. Prices for those classes are a bit higher. The yoga class runs about 50 minutes. Roger worked out on the cardio equipment while I was in yoga. Hint: Arrive before 7 am to avoid the crowds on the gym equipment.

Much of the day was spent relaxing and reading on the balcony, though we did take several strolls around the ship, always using the stairs, for greatest calorie burn. We made a quick stop into Blue Lagoon for a plate of yummy wings and a salad. At 1 pm, we decided to try the wine tasting. For just $15 each, 6 wines were offered, each a generous pour. Refills were available on request. The ship's sommeliere provided a plate of apples, brie cheese (plain and peppered), salt and lemon. Each wine was sampled on its own, then paired with a tidbit on the plate. It was interesting to notice how each taste impacted the flavor of the wine!

Following the tour, we made our way back to our cabin, conveniently passing through Raffles so that Roger could enjoy his guilty pleasure, a soft serve ice cream cone.

We dined at Shogun that evening. The food was great and the service very warm and friendly. With an excursion on the docket for tomorrow, we turned in early. A great day all around!

Day 3: Casablanca!

Full of excitement to step foot on the African continent for the first time in our lives, I was up at 5:40 am. Enjoyed coffee on the balcony, hoping to catch a glimpse of a sunrise as we closed in on the port. Unfortunately, the fog that greeted us eliminated any possibility of a sunrise. By 6:20, I headed in for a refill on the coffee. Then, it happened...

The ship began to roll, deeper each time, like a pendulum as it starts to swing. Roger was awakened by the sound of drawers opening and slamming shut and wastebaskets sliding across the floor. As the rolling became more pronounced, each piece of stemware vaulted from the shelves, one by one, like projectiles, crashing on the carpet in the salon. The champagne bucket went over, as did the fruit tray. Several plates broke as they hit the floor. Both of us did what we could to hold other items in place, but the effort was in vain. Glass encircled our bare feet, leaving us no choice but to pick up as many large pieces as possible, to create a safe path to retrieve shoes from the bedroom closet. The swaying was over in just a few minutes, but it took a significant toll inside the cabin.

Later, we learned that we were far from the only casualty. Nearly every restaurant lost a large supply of plates and glasses. We were told that the Raffles buffet had so many items on the floor, it looked like a college food fight. The onboard art auction lost $190,000 worth of paintings that fell off easels and were destroyed beyond repair. Works by Matisse and Chagall were among those lost. We learned that the rolling waves were attributed to an unexpectedly strong current and swells at the mouth of the port in Casablanca, a side effect from the major storm that hit the UK. Whatever the cause, it was a surprise to everyone, even the crew.

After breafast, we met our Concierge, Yahira for a quick escort off the ship. A green robed man named Mohammed ushered us into a minivan for the Exclusive Rick's and Casablanca tour. It was great to tour with such a small group, only 14 in total. We all chatted together and enjoyed the day. The tour included a visit inside the monumental Hassan II mosque - the inside is a must-see, with ornate carvings and impressive layout. After the visit to the mosque, we drove around the city, marveling at how very wealthy and lower class could coexist peacefully and in close proximity.

Our tour stopped at a rug showroom, where we learned of the various rug making techniques. Of course, there was the "strong encouragement" to buy, and two in our group did. What a wonderful and unique souvenir, to be enjoyed now, then passed on through many generations.

Rick's Cafe, our final stop, is a replica of the cafe depicted in the movie, Casablanca. Based on the reviews I read on Trip Advisor, I fully expected a lackluster meal with terrible service. This was not the case at all. The food (Sea Bass) was quite delicious and the service even better. The interior of the cafe is exotic and gorgeous, designed to create a true Moroccan experience.

Back on the ship far ahead of departure time, we ate in Raffles. Roger is probably the only suite dweller who actually seeks out opportunities to eat at Raffles. We both feel that the food is very good and of course, extensive selections are offered. I'm a fan of the soups; two selections are offered each day. The buffet was not crowded at all, presumably many folks were still ashore. We walked the Promenade Deck for an exercise nightcap, then readied our cabin for the wild ride back through the Casablanca currents. Preparation paid off, as we had no issues. All in all, a great day.

Day 4: At Sea

We woke to find moderate pitching and rolling motion. Welcome to the North Atlantic in late fall. Thank God for the scopolamine patch, which I'd never used before. However, being an amateur weather geek, I expected rough seas on this itinerary and thought it best to take precautions. Anyone who is prone to even mild seasickness will benefit greatly from the patch on this trip.

We enjoyed our morning workout followed by yoga for me. It's always such fun to try to balance when the ship is rolling and pitching. My unscientific and totally made up theory is that you not only experience new physical challenge, but you also burn more calories.

Breakfast at Cagney's followed the workout. We've come to love the prepared cereal of granola and berries offered on the cold buffet table. It's extremely delicious and very filling.

Despite the wide array of things to do, we spent much of the day reading and relaxing in our cabin. As pilots and sailors, we know that the fore and aft sections of the ship experience the most motion, but we found it quite comfortable in our aft cabin. This is probably due to the larger and more open layout, creating more visual cues for balance.

When we did walk around, we noticed several poor souls suffering from the ship's motion, including a few who couldn't quite get to the seasickness bags located throughout the ship.

We attended the port talk, which focused on the history of Madeira and the Canaries, and illustrated the many sights on both islands. We had hoped to also attend the Art Auction, but it was cancelled due to rough seas. The art gallery staff explained that the easels just wouldn't stand up to the stronger than expected ship motion. They didn't want to take any chances after the damage encountered the day before.

Wanting just a quick bite for lunch, we headed to Raffles to scope out the buffet. The venue was extremely crowded, but we found half a table to share with an older German couple.

At 7:15 pm, we headed to the Captain's reception for suite passengers. We met and spoke with many staff members, including the Captain. He confirmed my theory that the North Atlantic in late fall often makes for rough seas. However, this is such a beautiful and different itinerary, the motion is the price we pay to have an opportunity to enjoy these unique ports.

After the reception, we headed to Windows for a late dinner. We wanted to try this beautiful restaurant and were very delighted with the experience. I ordered the daily special, an herb crusted salmon, which was tender and delicious. Roger had a pasta dish, customized with grilled chicken. The service was wonderful and we went away quite happy.

Day 5: Madeira

Fortunately for those who suffered during yesterday's rough seas, the ocean had calmed considerably as we chugged into port. The island of Madeira unfolded before us as the ship sailed in. It's an island of unspeakable beauty, comprised of lush greenery and colorful flowers spilling down upon the lava-formed mountainsides. White and pink homes with clay tile roofs dot the sculpted, green landscape.

After downing our new favorite breakfast cereal at Cagney's, it was time for the shore excursion. We enjoyed the "Best of Madeira" tour, offering an opportunity to sample nearly all of Madeira's best sights. We boarded a cable car to ascend about 1,000 feet up a mountainside, offering panoramic vistas during the ride and at the summit. The tour included a stop at a centuries-old church tucked into the side of a cliff, and a once in a lifetime opportunity to laugh as we raced downhill in a human/gravity powered wicker sled. The highlight of the tour was the stop at Eida de Serrado, more than 3,000 feet above sea level. The scenery was nothing short of breathtaking. With even higher mountains around us, we looked down on Nun's Valley, a collection of tiny little villages with only a single road to travel in and out. The tour concluded with a brief wine tasting in the center of town and an opportunity to stroll among the merchant booths before going back to the ship for lunch.

Although we arrived back to the ship nearly 3 hours ahead of sail away, Raffles was very busy. I suggested Cagney's to Roger, wanting to at least once enjoy our lunchtime suite perk. But the man loves his buffet, crowds notwithstanding! Conveniently, we found a table right near the ice cream machine, making it simple to grab our daily treat on the way back to the cabin.

We enjoyed sail away from our own balcony, with wine and cheese, thanks to our awesome butler, Ravi. It was wonderful to stand on our aft balcony and watch the beautiful island of Madeira slip away.

Dinner tonight was ensuite, enjoying a tasty prime rib and a strip steak. The food was just wonderful and our awesome service from Ravi was terrific. Does life get any better?

Day 6: Arriecife, Canary Islands (well, almost...)

We awoke to rolling seas, similar to what we experienced during the prior sea day. Looking out from our balcony, it appeared that the swells were even larger than before. The CruiseShow TV channel indicated 50 kts of true wind right on the nose.

Since our arrival into Arriecife was not until 12 noon, we had ample time for a workout, followed by breakfast at Cagney's. You guessed it! Another bowl of that yummy granola with fruit. We were very surprised by the sparse turnout at the gym and at Cagney's. Seems many people opt to sleep in on this late arrival port day.

We also visited the Internet Cafe this morning. Upon embarkation, we bought the 250 minute package for $100, and received 20 minutes free as an Embarkation Day special. Wifi access has helped us stay in touch with family and we've been surprised that the connection is not nearly as slow as we expected. The purpose of our visit to the Internet Cafe today was to provide evidence of "liking" NCL's Facebook page, snagging an additional 15 minutes for free. The offer is per cabin, not per person, and it's very easy to do. If you plan to use wifi on the cruise, be sure to "like" NCL's Facebook page before your trip. Take a screenshot of the page showing that it's "Liked" and show that screenshot to the Internet Cafe Manager. Voila! 15 free minutes.

As we steamed toward the port of Arriecife, we noticed that the ocean was, surprisingly, still extremely rough. At about 11 am, the Captain announced that the ship made one approach to the dock, and abandoned it due to high winds and strong currents. "The wind is gusting to 40. I will update you further," he said. At about 11:40, the Captain announced that we would be unable to call on Arriecife due to the conditions, and would instead be spending the day at sea. Although very disappointed that we would not see this mystical land up close, we know that this is a decision certainly in everyone's best interest. Better to deal with disappointment than a damaged ship on an island in the middle of nowhere. There is absolutely no benefit to NCL to cancel a port of call without very good reason. Add the expense of this missed port to the extensive damage incurred earlier during the "Casablanca Swells," and it's likely that the profit margin for this trip has seriously eroded.

A few minutes later, the Captain made another announcement. There was a medical emergency on board, requiring evacuation of the patient. We would slow and remain near the port until a medical boat arrived. The evacuation, including waiting time, took about 40 minutes.

By 1 pm, the cruise staff had diligently worked to assemble a plethora of additional activities to keep guests occupied during the unforeseen sea day. These included dance classes, art seminars, music programs and more. As we walked around the ship, we noticed special sales in all of the shops and several tables in the Atrium. We also noticed that most guests seemed to be happy despite the change of plans. We did, however, overhear one guest complain vehemently about the deviation, insisting that the Captain should speed up so that she could have a better chance of making her too-early flight out of Malaga. It takes all kinds!

Later on, we headed to Raffles (of course). It felt like all 2,000 passengers were there, huddled over tables reading books, and eating lunch. One of these days, I'll convince him to visit Cagney's for lunch. :) Following lunch, reading and a long nap worked just fine for us. By 5:00 pm, the CruiseShow TV channel indicated that the winds had increased to 60 mph, right on the nose. More reading, another workout and a walk around the ship with a stop at Raffles for a light bite rounded out our evening.

Day 7: At Sea

Seas are still a bit rocky today and the wind continues at 30 mph, +/-. Morning yoga was sparsely attended and the ship seemed very quiet overall until about 10 am. We assume that most passengers were recovering from the late night Halloween party.

We attended the "Officer's Profile" talk today. It was a very informative half-hour Q&A session with the Captain, Chief Engineer and Hotel Director. Many questions centered on the decision to skip the stop at Arriecife. Some passengers were obviously upset; judging by a few of the questions, there was some second-guessing of the Captain's decision (Seriously?) The Captain handled the difficult questions with grace and confidence, emphasizing the fact that he alone is responsible for the safety of the ship and all on board. He stated that he knows the ship' capabilities and limitations full well and could not risk docking in the conditions as they were. There was a round of applause after his detailed explanation.

After lunch, I went to the Art Auction while Roger attended the port talk. Having never attended an art auction, I wasn't sure what to expect. The auction is informal and friendly. It's a terrific way to learn about artists, art work and collecting. Even if you don't buy a single thing, you'll have fun. Many of the works presented were deeply discounted; there was something for everyone. Several gifts were raffled off, including bottles of champagne, spa discounts, ship photos and more. Everyone in attendance received a lovely unframed serigraph just for attending.

The port talk was very informative. However, Roger learned that our Malaga port day falls on some sort of Spanish holiday. Because of this, the Alhambra shore tour had to be limited. No further tickets could be sold and apparently some passengers were very upset. Fortunately, we had snagged our tickets pre-cruise.

As evening approached, we noticed that the seas had calmed considerably. At this point in the cruise, we were much closer to the African mainland, which could be the reason for smoother sailing. Whatever the reason, many passengers welcomed the change.

Tonight, we chose to dine in LaTrattoria. We enjoyed this restaurant when on the Star several years ago. Earlier in the week, we heard from others who stated that their LaTrattoria experience was terrible on this cruise. We had already pre-booked, though, so decided to take our chances - a good decision! The service was very good and the food was excellent. We had fried calamari, minestrone soup and both beef and veggie lasagna. No dessert for us, as we were full to the gills.

When we arrived back at our cabin, we were delighted to find a 40th anniversary cake, compliments of our cabin crew. What a nice surprise and a great way to end another wonderful day on the Spirit.

Day 8: Malaga

With a later than usual wake up, we skipped the gym and headed straight to breakfast. Ours was an early tour today; at 8:15 we headed out for the Granada and Magnificent Alhambra tour.

The tour involved a somewhat long but very scenic motorcoach ride from Malaga into the mountains. There was a brief pit stop along the way. Upon reaching the city of Granada, we left the bus for a walking tour. The tour included an interior look at the gilded 13th century cathedral that houses the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella. Somewhere along the way, we lost 2 passengers from our group. They were apparently separated from us in the street crowds. Much to our surprise, our tour guide seemed nonchalant, stating, "people must watch me." Oh my....

We reboarded the coach for a short ride further up the mountains, to the Alhambra. Magnificent does not even begin to describe this city of the Middle Ages. However, what was most magnificent of all was the fact that our lost passengers had found their way, on foot, to the Alhambra! What a relief to all of us.

For more than 2 hours, we wandered through the gardens, courtyards, buildings and towers of this incredible setting. We marveled at the expansive views of Granada and well beyond. The Alhambra was a self-contained, self sufficient city and much of it remains. The site was definitely worth the 2 hour bus ride.

It was now 3 pm and all were in need of some food or drink. We were allowed 90 minutes to dine and/or shop in the city of Granada. None of us wanted to wander too far, though given what happened to our fellow passengers earlier in the trip.

All aboard time was called for 6:30 pm. Leaving Granada at 5 pm meant we'd likely be late. This kind of situation is the reason I'll always opt for ship-sponsored excursions. The added dollar cost, or less sightseeing flexibility is, to me, "insurance" against being left behind.

Sure enough, we encountered quite a bit of traffic exiting Granada and seemed to hit every stoplight along the way. 6:30 came and went, and our tour guide's cell phone started ringing. The bus driver, diligent and law abiding to that point, was now exceeding speed limits. In a comedy-like moment, as we entered the port, a horse and buggy pulled in front of us, slowing the bus to a crawl. Several ship staff were waiting for us, none appearing too happy, and encouraged the group to move quickly aboard.

Finally back on board, we made a last minute decision to enjoy dinner at Cagney's. Although we didn't have a reservation, we were graciously accommodated. We enjoyed the St Louis Ribs (huge portion!) and a RibeyeSteak, along with the consistently wonderful service of the outstanding staff in this restaurant.

Day 9: At Sea

A gentle sea, warm temperature on the balcony and millions of stars greeted us this morning, providing a magical start to our final day aboard the Spirit.

As usual for us, we enjoyed a morning workout, yoga and breakfast at Cagney's. Most of our day was spent relaxing and packing. :(

Speaking with our Concierge this morning, we were surprised to learn that we will not have a priority disembarkation process for tomorrow's ship sponsored tour to Monserrat. Yahira informed us that we should "just go to the Stardust Lounge at the time printed on the tickets." Perhaps this is because we are on a ship tour, versus disembarking for the airport. Whatever the reason, it seems as though our suite perks disappear after tonight; we become like Cinderella.

At about 5 pm, the Captain informed us that we will dock in Barcelona at approximately 2:30 am. The early arrival won't change disembarkation times, but it should make for very smooth and simple baggage claim.

Our final celebratory dinner was in LeBistro. What a great experience! We opted for the 32 oz sirloin for two, carved table side. It's an up charge of $10 pp over the standard $20 pp cover charge, but well worth it for presentation and taste.

Early to bed for us, for disembarkation comes too soon...

Day 10: Disembark, to Monserrat

With a cabin over the engines, we were aware of docking at about 2:30 am. A beautiful sunrise greeted us at about 6:30 am and we were off to Cagney's for a final breakfast and goodbyes.

Disembarkation was extremely smooth and orderly. We quickly collected our luggage and made our way to the ship tour bus to the mountainside monastery at Monserrat. After a 45 minute ride through Barcelona and along winding mountain roads, the monastery rose before us. It is a sight that cannot be adequately described in words or even in photos. Built some 3500' in the sky, Monserrat is an entire community surrounding the focal point of a magnificent, gilded basilica. Whether you are religious or not, this is a must visit location. The entire tour took about 4 hours, with plenty of time to wander the monastery grounds on one's own, taking in the incredible vistas or breathtaking interior shots of the basilica. Everywhere you look, there are intricate carvings and gold leaf and statues so realistic that their eyes follow you as you move. Of course, many come to see and pray to "La Moneta", the Black Madonna dating from the Middle Ages.

Following the tour, the bus dropped us directly at the Renaissance Hotel, for our final night on this surreal and most wonderful journey. After a few hours of wandering the city (which now felt so familiar) and enjoying a tapas lunch, it's time to prepare for the transition back to the real world.

Excellent review and how refreshing to read a review with a positive attitude! A couple of rough sea days did not hamper your experience.

The Spirit is a favorite with my family and wish she would come back to NOLA.

Thanks for sharing:)

Thank you for the kind words- and I apologize to all for the duplicate posts. I'm still in Barcelona, operating from my iPad, and wanted to get this log posted quickly. I erroneously hit "post" twice and can't figure out how to delete one. So sorry!

I love The Spirit and I do wish that She were back in States somewhere. I have known Captain Vanja for awhile and have always been impressed by him. HE is an "Officer and a Gentleman".

Thanks for the great review. You answered several of the questions I had, particularly about the post-cruise Monserrat tour. What time did it leave in the morning and what time did you get back to the city? We have a 5:30 flight that afternoon and I want to make sure that we will be dropped off at the airport in time.

Since our cruise is not until 11/22, hopefully the waves will calm down a little and we will get to experience all the ports. At the moment, are planning to use an outside tour company for Granada - your experience may cause us to reconsider. I might be a little nervous about missing the boat. Did you get to the albaicin area of the city?

Once again, thanks for your thorough review

Helaine Fraser

Thank you for this review! I'm hoping to book the Spirit for this winter or spring and love to know as much as possible before booking so this was very helpful :)

Thanks for your interesting, informative and positive review. Such a pity you encountered rough seas which you coped with so well, not sure we would. Pity you missed out on Lanzarote it is well worth seeing.

We have experienced rough seas many years ago and hope that the weather is kinder to us when we do the same cruise next April.:)

On the same cruise in a few weeks. Thanks you got us all excited! It was fun to get a preview!

Helene, we really loved the Monserrat tour. When I arrive back home, I'll get my photos uploaded and share all with my CC friends.

Our "roll call" for the tour was 7:30 am I the Stardust lounge and the bus was rolling by about 8:15. No one in our group was headed to the airport, though. Perhaps there was a different bus for that group, or perhaps no one was going there? We were first off the bus, dropped at the Renaissance at about 12:15.

We did not see the Albacin area, but we did see the Royal Chapel and much of the commercial area of the city. If you do use a private tour company, I'd suggest planning on being back by 4:30/5:00 to allow some cushion for traffic. You'll easily spend a few hours at the Alhambra and probably won't want to have to cut that short.

Whatever you decide to do - enjoy! :)

Well, we have been with you on the same cruise and agree with all you wrote. It was indeed a wonderful cruise. We were in the Raffles when the wave hit us and I took a short video. Someone on the cruise told us that whoever wants just calm seas better stay on dry land and not go sailing.

Well, we have been with you on the same cruise and agree with all you wrote. It was indeed a wonderful cruise. We were in the Raffles when the wave hit us and I took a short video. Someone on the cruise told us that whoever wants just calm seas better stay on dry land and not go sailing.

 

H'mm, that was rocky!

I was sitting on the cabin floor waiting to hear the Captain call 'abandon ship' haha.

Interesting review. We are on Spirit in January on the same itinerary and have to admit we expect there to be some slightly rough seas at that time of year as well.

The video posted by Yossisue really shows what you were explaining in your earlier post. Have to say everyone seemed to take it quite well - can even hear people laughing. Not sure I'd be laughing with the ship rolling so much and plates and water rushing towards me across the floor!.

We're looking forward to seeing what Spirit has to offer but will not be expecting too much due to the age of the ship. We have only cruised with NCL once before in May this year on Jade and it was perfectly fine.

Our last few cruises seem to have been on older ships and we never set our expectations too highly. As long as the ship is clean, functions as it should in the heating and toilet departments, and the staff are pleasant and attentive we always manage to have a good time.

Thanks for posting the video, yossisue. That sound of crashing china was similar to what we experienced in the cabin. What was most amazing to us was how quickly and how well everything was cleaned up. The staff really did a fantastic job.

Delbankin, we were last on the NCL Star, which is slightly bigger than Spirit, yet we felt that the ships were quite comparable. We walked everywhere, never took elevators. The ship never felt crowded. It has a vibe of "understated elegance" due to its Asian heritage. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Thanks for the review, we are going on the Spirit on 29 November departing from Malaga, we live 25mimutes from the port so this cruise is so handy for us, in fact its so handy we have booked it again departing on 13 January. Hopefully we will make Lanzarote ok as we plan to visit friends there.

Thanks very much for your very informative review. We're on the Spirit next week *yikes* so hoping for slightly calmer seas!

Another thank you for the review!

We are booked for the 22/11 so getting very excited and your review is just what we needed as there aren't that many reviews on here. Sorry about the weather and your missed port, but glad it didn't ruin it all for you!

Yossisue - I am going to remember that quote just in case we need it :D

I quite like a bit of motion, but only a bit :eek:

Thanks for the great review. You answered several of the questions I had, particularly about the post-cruise Monserrat tour. What time did it leave in the morning and what time did you get back to the city? We have a 5:30 flight that afternoon and I want to make sure that we will be dropped off at the airport in time.

By the way, another point about the Monserrat tour (which I do highly, highly recommend!). Because the bus left so early, we were the first tour group to arrive at the site. But for a few individual visitors, the 20 or so of us had the place all to ourselves for the first hour. That meant no lines or crowds for the Basilica, Black Virgin, etc. it was magical!

Just a quick question: what sport did they show in the Sports bar? Was it just Sky Sports News or was it actual sport? Also, if it was sport was it European or American? I know it's all signal-dependant, but there are a few football and rugby games that my husband is getting a bit tetchy about missing! Although I can't see them showing Championship games, but hoped he might catch a few of the Premiership, or even European leagues, and Rugby matches to make him happy :D

Another thank you for the review!

 

We are booked for the 22/11 so getting very excited and your review is just what we needed as there aren't that many reviews on here. Sorry about the weather and your missed port, but glad it didn't ruin it all for you!

 

Yossisue - I am going to remember that quote just in case we need it :D

 

I quite like a bit of motion, but only a bit :eek:

Hi Cloudyrain - we'll be getting off the Spirit the day you get on! Promise to look after her for you. :)

Good point. My only problem with ship tour is that if it finishes by noon and takes us to the airport, what do we do for the rest of the afternoon. I contacted your guide for Barcelona and while the Monserrat tour sounded wonderful, it was VERY pricey.

Helaine

Thank you for your trip synopsis! I felt like I was right there with you! We are doing Classic Italy next October and cannot wait! Want to come?!

Hi Cloudyrain - we'll be getting off the Spirit the day you get on! Promise to look after her for you. :)

I hope you do or I will be very annoyed with you! Have a lovely time, you clearly have very good taste Oh, and don't drink all the Rum, I don't really drink but do love a nice Rum Runner at sailaway! :D

Hi Cloudy rain.. In the Cabin there was sport 24 and also Sky Sports News. On 24 they showed Premiership matches and ATP tennis.. Sport 24 is the Channel shown in the bars and on Raffles Deck.

I hope you do or I will be very annoyed with you! Have a lovely time, you clearly have very good taste Oh, and don't drink all the Rum, I don't really drink but do love a nice Rum Runner at sailaway! :D

I'll try not to drink all the rum - not really partial to it but if the seas are stormy I might need a few to settle my stomach :eek: Really looking forward to this cruise and being on the Spirit. It looks a lovely ship indeed.