Expectations Were Met: Our 1st NCL & 1st Spirit Cruise, May 1st

[kcfoxy]

Background:

 

I am a 60 year old Registered Nurse who normally works 11 hour graveyard shifts at a large local medical center while my Other Half drives an 18 wheeler delivering all your favorite Boomer goodies to a very popular warehouse shopping giant. We were seriously in need of a major vacation with lots of pampering needed for middle-aged, middle class service employees...could NCL meet our needs?

 

We've previously sailed a 4 day sampler on Carnival Ecstasy, out of Los Angeles, with DH more of an avowed landlubber and the ports less than inspired. When he backed out of our next cruise, a 7 day Seattle RT Inside Passage (Alaska) adventure on HAL Amsterdam, I was forced to go it alone...not a very comfortable option.

 

Alaska was thrilling and I was able to manage a solo couple days and several Tom Douglas restaurant in Seattle and then the somewhat formal, rather stodgy but also charming HAL experience...that buffet bread pudding long a fond memory and extra inch on the waistline!

 

Pre-Cruise and Embarkation

 

NCL's free style cruising seemed the best fit for a couple who don't like to dress up, and would rather play it by ear in terms of when and where to eat.

 

New Orleans is an attractive port-a new destination for me, and the 4 ports and 2 sea days seemed a good mix. We flew out of Sacramento and spent 40 hours in NOLA prior to embarkation. The Hampton Inn Downtown/French Quarter was less than 2 blocks from Canal/Bourbon Street action, with full breakfast and right on the St. Charles street car line for convenient, low cost sightseeing.

 

The first night we feasted on Brothers' Fried Chicken with red beans and rice, Cajun rice, Nachitoches and fried fruit pies. Saturday's explorations of the French Quarter rewarded us with a bargain priced feed at K-Paul's Deli Lunch (Thurs-Sat.), about 1/4 the price of their sit down dinners but likewise amazing with roast beef po-boy, chicken and andouille sausage gumbo, a tempura-light fried flounder, sides of onion strings, colorful cole slaw and potato salad and the richest evah bread pudding, benefitting from Paul's on-site bakery and lagniappe of chocolate sauce over the spirited hard sauce.

 

Our cruise was scheduled right in the middle of Jazz Fest, so room rates were higher than usual, but this time frame worked well for a childless couple who enjoy traveling in the shoulder months, avoiding Spring Break, et al. While the airport was crowded, the taxi down to Erato Street Cruise Terminal was easily obtained, a set rate per person from our centralized lodging. And as a mobility challenged cruiser, I was very glad to see we were dropped almost at the terminal doorstep.

 

We dropped our bags with the porter at 11 a.m. and proceeded through the security screening. An elevator made this much easier as I was informed wheelchairs would not be available for 30 minutes. I'd contacted NCL Accessibility folk in advance, since short distances with a tripod cane are do-able but for embark and debark a WC assist was required.

 

It took maybe 15 minutes to reach the point our cruise documents and credit card would gain us that magic room key, and when VIP/Penthouse status was mentioned, we were politely ushered into a separate waiting room for the first meeting with our concierge, Belle. Light refreshments were provided, but we were both too excited to partake.

 

A wheel chair soon appeared and Belle led our smallish first group onto the ship at 11:30 a.m. We were greeted by cheering staff members, wide smiles intact, our first experience with the Happy Happy and Washy Washy folk, whose enthusiasm proved to be contagious. Allowed to drop off our carry ons, we then procceded to Cagney's Steakhouse, a suite/VIP passenger perk that would prove to be wonderful.

 

We've Arrived!

 

Our waitress, Elsa, attended us in a smallish, cool and attractive room. The set luncheon menu wasn't large, but did give us a chance to try a Colossal Shrimp Cocktail, Proscuitto and Asparagus, Strip Steak and Fettucini with Porcini Mushrooms along with warm Expresso Chocolate Brownies and Macadamia Nut Ice Cream and an excellent Mixed Berry parfait. Service was instinctive and unobtrusive with smiles throughout.

 

Elsa attended us in a smallish, cool and attractive room. The huncheon menu wasn't large, but did give us a chance to try a (giant prawn) Shrimp Cocktail, Proscuitto and Asparagus, Strip Steak and Fettucini Alfredo along with Expresso Brownies and Macadamia Nut Ice Cream and an excellent Mixed Berry parfait. Service was instinctive and unobtrusive with smiles throughout.

 

We spend an hour digesting our food and then likewise digesting the lovely Asian decor of the Spirit, a medium sized vessel with about 2,000 pax, double occupancy. The Grand Centrum is an airy gathering point, with Shorex, Customer Service, shops and bars closeby, as well as the ever-popular Blue Lagoon, serving comfort food 'round the clock.

 

Carpets, bright work, fixtures and railing all appeared to be in good order. As an RN, I was especially impressed by the immaculate condition of the ship, with Cruise Critic and other research providing information on CDC's 100 rating and NCL's determination to eliminate or at least severly curtail any contagion on board.

 

A Bit About That Suite Life:

 

Our penthouse suite was ready in the early afternoon, and 10 Forward would be our home away from home for the following week. 3 elevators forward, 3 midship and 3 aft did a credible job in whisking pax to their various destinations. I noticed the carpets were different colors in the 3 areas, to better help orient us about.

 

This penthouse suite was actually 2 regular balcony cabins combined, with one balcony being sacrificed for a whirlpool tub and large glass shower overlooking the sea. Looking at the upper decks from the piers, these areas appear darkened, supposedly one way glass but we opted to do just about all of our bathing at sea!

 

The Aries Suite had red and gold carpeting, a small double sleeper sofa, 2 small cloth club chairs, 3 vinyl chairs with a card table sized dining table, an expresso maker, small refrigerator, 32" flat screen TV, king sized bed in its own curtained alcove, double marble topped sinks and separate enclosed toilet area with privacy glass. Double closet with 1 side full length, the other half length to accomodate 2 self-keyed room safes, a small CRT TV in the alcove and 5 drawers completed our suite.

 

Our room steward, Benjamin, quickly introduced himself and never failed to say hello, offer up a smile, provide ice, fresh towels or tidy up at various times during each day. A few times DH was napping, and was later amazed to find all but the bed freshened up around him, with great care and consideration...do not wake the sleeping bear!

 

We next met our butler, Maurice, who would prove to be invaluable, especially helpful furnishing MDR menus for our use in determining which nights we'd either eat in the MDR (we picked the Garden Room, being smaller and midship compared to the more formalized and lovely Windows, aft), or have meals delivered to our room. A copy of the specialty (supplemental/pay) restaurant menus were already in our cabin.

 

Maurice dropped off our first night's covered plate of canapes courtesy of HD John O'Hara as well as a letter from Belle, with a handy day by day listing of all the restaurant venues and times we'd indicated on first meeting along with the specialty events/meals on my list. Overall, the feedback loop between cabin steward/butler/concierge and HD worked very smoothly.

 

Snagging our first Daily during embarkation, we brought highlighters to mark our favorite activites. Subsequent Dailies were delivered during evening turn down by Benjamin, but we were very pleased to see NCL has been listening to Cruice Critic comments/suggestions and has now also added a supplemental double-sided sheet (in readable font!) with at-a-glance highlight listings for entertainment, dining opportunities and activites.

 

This is extremely convenient, and points up the importance NCL accords us, in helping to overall better the cruise experience.

 

 

End of Part One. Next up: Meet and Greet Impressions and Services & Activities...

[Hikini]

Glad you had a good time!

[retired rascal]

THANK YOU!!!! Like you we are in our 60's and HATE to get dressed up leaving NCL as our line of choice. We've been on the Pearl and the Star and have another Pearl coming up. We just booked a 25 day TA and Mediterranean on the Spirit and were a bit worried about it. Now I feel alot better. Our suite is 10022, starboard forward. Were you in a front-facing penthouse or in one facing the side? Do you mind revealing your suite number? THANKS!! Anything else you want to add would be more than welcome!!:)

[Mindy1]

Suite 10022 is named Aries

[kcfoxy]

THANK YOU!!!! Like you we are in our 60's and HATE to get dressed up leaving NCL as our line of choice. We've been on the Pearl and the Star and have another Pearl coming up. We just booked a 25 day TA and Mediterranean on the Spirit and were a bit worried about it. Now I feel alot better. Our suite is 10022, starboard forward. Were you in a front-facing penthouse or in one facing the side? Do you mind revealing your suite number? THANKS!! Anything else you want to add would be more than welcome!!:)

 

You will be in the same "Aries" suite that we enjoyed so much...a couple more photos enclosed and I will be delivering Part 2 of my longish review later today...

[OneLuckyMom]

Can't wait to read the rest! My mother and sister are in 10022 on our August cruise, and my daughter and I are in the adjoining balcony, 10020. Feel free to let us know what you thought of the suite, in great detail, if you feel so inclined :D

[kcfoxy]

Services And Activities

 

 

[bThe first day at sea was leisurely, a trip to Maharajah's Casino for slot club signup and some donations were made. A decent selection of slots, video poker and blackjack/craps games were noted, though we only played the former. From my experiences in Las Vegas, the slots were 95-97% payout the first couple of days, then after that...

 

One small quibble regarding the CAS services.

Other than free rum punch during initial slot club sign up frenzy, no drinks were gratis without a hefty CAS level (around 2,500 points), something very surprising to me after gaming experiences in Lake Tahoe, Reno and Las Vegas. As a diabetic, tolling 2 to 4 hours per session, I believe at least bottled water would be a worthwhile concession to consider in future, in terms of improved customer service.

 

The casino was all the way forward on deck 7, with Maharini's Nightclub situated almost at the bow. On sea days, especially ones with the need to make good speed and gobble up the natical miles, motion is very evident in this locale. And while this might be of interest in the Arcade (deck 7, midship), it didn't seem to affect all those little adorable goldish, enticing mermaids or glorious galleons.

 

From morning till 'whenever' there were games, movies, trivia, card room, library books, clubs, dancing, art auctions, bingo, shore talks, singing, bar hops and pub crawls plus daily specials on drinks and sometimes photography. 5 pf tje 5 x 7 photos for the price of 4 seemed a good value though the idea of plastering our faces on those strange little bobble heads seemed eerily creepy.

 

Often, ship productions had an early and late show, but we were only up to make it to a single show, Elements, though the Russian acrobat duo, Second City improv and crew show surely beckoned. Other special events, such as the Taste of India, Chocoholic Buffet and Presumed Murdered Mystery luncheon along with invitations to the Captain's Reception (VIP and suite pax), and Art Auction filled any other occasions we felt so inclined.

 

Of course, there were rebroadcast of some of the sillier/funnier events such sock hop, White Party, Not So Newlywed/Newlywed Game (Kyle Dodson very hilarious as MC here), Western Dance party etc. And speaking of TV, we enjoyed a couple first run recent releases, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part I, as well as Cher and Christina Aquilera in Burlesque, in our down time kicking back and relaxing in our cabin.

 

More Suite Perks and Food, Glorious Food!

 

Suite perks continued all week with complimentary muncheros from HD, Captain, Master,Concierge: chocolate covered strawberries, delicious variety of fresh baked cookies, very tasty chocolate truffles, the usual assortment of canapes, and daily bowl of fresh fruit. Maurice, learning that we were on the hunt for the Raffles (buffet) pretzel rolls, made it a point to deliver some one afternoon, otherwise learned our preferences for seedless grapes, strawberries and bananas and didn't need to be reminded.

 

We chose to either eat breakfast in Cagney's, or on early port days, our butler delivered full breakfasts with bacon, sausage, ham, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, cold cereals, rolls, pastries, chocolate croissants (!), hot coffee, hot chocolate, sliced melon, juice (blend but pretty good), et al by 6:45 a.m.

 

 

We also used our bulter services for 2 MDR meals, (prime rib and English strip loin nights), served in suite, when the stomach was willing but the middle aged bodies weren't. The always available salmon fillet was perfect for a midnight snack, while several of the apps were especially savory, the Sweet Potato Bisque and Chilled Black Cherry Soup among them. We did enjoy 2 special meals, the sumptuous 20 course/2 hour Taste of India and the hilarious but tasty Presumed Murdered Mystry luncheon served in Garden restaurant with comedy served up by bravo Second City troupe.

 

Since we are both major Foodies, and I've spent so much time researching and planning...so many venues, so little tummy space...a rundown of the specialty restaurants is in order. We tried Cagney's Steakhouse, DH loving it so much we ate there twice for dinner. I do have some special dietary needs, and am happy to report the staff was most accomodating with these requests.

 

There are always low calorie/low sugar options as well as the chance to have mains served without sauces or with them on the side. You may order more than one appetizer, soup or salad or desert, but in the specialty restaurants, a second entree will cost 1/2 the restaurant fee, which seems fair considering how much food you receive.

 

 

We tried prime rib, ribeye, New York strip and Tbone steaks, as well as crab cakes, lobster bisque, French onion soup, clam chowder, chopped salad, Caesar salad, various rice and potato sides, vegetables and desserts including a very tasty apple crisp with Vanilla Bean ice cream (a la mode).

 

The offering ranged from good to excellent...nothing mediocre or poor. The service was top notch, with Joseph and Hugo standing out as especially attentive. We liked the respect paid to the veggies, though some might find al dente a little too crisp for their liking!

 

Le Bistro, the French restuarant was our first specialty restaurant, and the food is very rich, with lots of sauces, cream and butter as you might expect. Both the Onion and Mushroom soups were outstanding. Rare to medium rare lamb was not to be found, but the taste of my chops and presentation were very good. DH's pork loin with apples in Calvados sauce proved likewise tasty but the Big Guy gobbled it down in less than 2 minutes.

 

We both adored the Chef's amuse-bouche, in this case a silken salmon pate served with crisp, buttery French bread rounds. Would love to see this as a regular ap, it was so wonderful. About this point, John O'Hara made his ongoing rounds to see if everything was to our liking. His solicuitous inquiry and warmth were genuine, and I also observed how much the staff welcmed his rounds, not acting at all tense or worried as some do when particular 'suits' come around.

 

We also tried La Trattoria, a section of Raffles that is partioned off with curtains during the evening. Besides the lighting being extremely dim, (the term stygian comes immediately to mind), the service was again on par with what we had come to expect in the specialty restaurants. Joann and her assistant waiter, Benedict, made sure all was to our liking. The spaghetti carbonara was swoon-worthy and buttery, loaded with ham/pancetta, Romano cheese, egg yolks and cream.

 

DH liked his pasta and Casaer salad, though not so much a meatball entree or the fiddling about with the 9 pieces of silverware by the AW. He does drink several quarts of ice water per meal, and here, as at all the specialty venues, this was topped off quite quickly.

 

I practically inhaled a light and airly Tiramusu after having some room by sharing my rich entree and fresh mozzarella and tomato with basil and carpaccio apps. For $5 supplement, this was a very good value with an Olive Garden vibe, (if only the chain restaurants were half as attentive)!

 

Our last specialty restaurant, Shogun's was a bit of a gamble for the 6th night at sea, since I was planning to order sushi while Richard tried the Asian offerings. Exquisite, geisha-like service from Jasmine, set the tone. It was a leisurely meal with some wait for the 3 sushi rolls I'd ordered, but the flavor, appearance and overall vibe were excellent.

 

Besides the ubiquitous California roll, a Godzilla roll, with cashews, mango, avocado and crab, was a standout. The Tempura roll with shrimp was adequate, but I had no clue how huge each one of these rolls would be, and I was on sticky sushi rice overload halfway through! The yellow tail and ahi sashimi were very fresh and delicate...how do they do that this far into the cruise without trolling off the side of the ship?

 

Richard enjoyed his mu shu pork, wok charred beef (with broccoli), vegetable potstickers and shrimp fried rice. He also had a blast demonstrating several unorthodox uses for the supplied chopsticks while I lolled on the banquette, chatting up our fellow diners.

 

Apparently his barbecued pork ribs were especially delish, as he never once offered to share, though my three gargantuan sushi rolls were the perfect bite size to dip in the provided soy sauce and share. In a pleasurable haze we never did order the steamed barbecued pork buns I'd wanted to try. A modest bottle of Beringer white zinfandel was a tasty addition to our repast and somehow there was room for these amazing warm banana pancakes crisscrossed with caramel sauce and served with coconut ice cream for dessert.

 

After this feast, we waddled and swayed around the Promenade deck, great to see a real teak wraparound promenade, and I feeling especially spry, could do a few hundred feet now and then. Other times wheelchair assist was a mere phone call away. The service is free of course, but the attendants were both gentle and kind, warranting tips for extra special service.

 

End of Part 2. Next up, Part 3: Excursions/Ports and Debarkation/Final Thoughts

[tennisfanusa]

Thanks for the awesome review and the PICTURES! Keep 'em coming!

[kcfoxy]

Thanks for the awesome review and the PICTURES! Keep 'em coming!

 

Thanks for your kind words...just giving' back what I've gotten over my many years of membership here! The shore excursion/ports piece will have to wait until tomorrow but I do have some (stock/own) more foodie/chocolate buffet pictures if you are interested:

[tennisfanusa]

OMG the 2nd one (of chocolate) is to die for! I have a huge sweet tooth and it looks so good!

[kcfoxy]

OMG the 2nd one (of chocolate) is to die for! I have a huge sweet tooth and it* looks so good!

 

One little odd bit: I adore chocolate as well and was looking forward to viewing/sampling the Spirit's version. The Chocolate Buffet takes place immediately following the Elements show on night 6 and is very nicely set up in the larger MDR, Windows.

 

The dim lighting served to accenuate the carved ice sculptures with the strategic colored lightening and of course, there was a huge amount of all things chocolate, and I do mean huge.

 

What turned out to be so odd was that neither DH nor I had even a single bite! I started coughing, worried others would think I was ill/contagious and so made my way back to a far table for some water. Turns out I was going into a mini asthma attack from all the theobromine fumes!

 

That and the fact we'd been spoiled by suite treats of chocolate chocolate chip and regular choco chip cookies, chocolate truffles, chocolate dipped strawberries, daily chocolate croissants, warm expresso chcolate brownies for dessert several times in Cagney's and a really good mocha mousse in a chocolate shell on night from MDR.

 

In other words, our chocolate cravings were well damped. Never thought I'd turn down chocolate in my life...the photo is a stock one, but a nice assortment, no?

 

Added: a couple of our own (rather dark) CB photos...you can see the back of me as I get closer and closer... Included a few more Blue Lagoon pix as well!

[Why Knot Me]

Thanks for your review. Love your writing style and I'm thoroughly enjoying.

[mitsugirly]

We will be cruising the Spirit in 3 months 21 days 23 hours 58 min and 4 seconds...can you tell I'm excited? :D

 

Thanks for your review. I'm loving the pictures.

 

I'm really glad they have the ice sculptures and buffet on this ship. We were on the Epic last year and they didn't have anything like this. Although I'm not a real chocolate fan, I am an avid photography freak and any opportunity to take pictures of something neat...I'm there. I missed not seeing the buffet and ice sculptures that I witnessed back in the 80's and 90's.

[KatWag]

Loving your review. The suite looks great. More like the OS we had on Star. We were in the Penthouse on Jewel the last nine days and it was way smaller. Have to try the Spirit :)

[tennisfanusa]

One little odd bit: I adore chocolate as well and was looking forward to viewing/sampling the Spirit's version. The Chocolate Buffet takes place immediately following the Elements show on night 6 and is very nicely set up in the larger MDR, Windows.

 

The dim lighting served to accenuate the carved ice sculptures with the strategic colored lightening and of course, there was a huge amount of all things chocolate, and I do mean huge.

 

What turned out to be so odd was that neither DH nor I had even a single bite! I started coughing, worried others would think I was ill/contagious and so made my way back to a far table for some water. Turns out I was going into a mini asthma attack from all the theobromine fumes!

 

That and the fact we'd been spoiled by suite treats of chocolate chocolate chip and regular choco chip cookies, chocolate truffles, chocolate dipped strawberries, daily chocolate croissants, warm expresso chcolate brownies for dessert several times in Cagney's and a really good mocha mousse in a chocolate shell on night from MDR.

 

In other words, our chocolate cravings were well damped. Never thought I'd turn down chocolate in my life...the photo is a stock one, but a nice assortment, no?

 

Added: a couple of our own (rather dark) CB photos...you can see the back of me as I get closer and closer... Included a few more Blue Lagoon pix as well!

Wow - that's horribly ironic, although I'm glad you got to enjoy your spread of chocolate being a suite holder. I am too for July so you continue to add hype to my trip!

[kcfoxy]

Thanks for your review. Love your writing style and I'm thoroughly enjoying.

 

You are very kind! BTW: I do enjoy writing...not as much as cruising of course, with something like 900 or more articles/recipes/product evaluations et al at one of those huge 'opinion' type customer review sites.

 

Off now to finish this longish one now, thanks again!

[kcfoxy]

Ports and Shore Excursions

 

We only booked one shore excursion through NCL, for the Mexican cusine cooking class in Playa Mia near Cozumel. The start time was almost 2 hours after docking, and I'd love to see that moved up an hour so we'd have more shopping time at the end. Scary fast taxi ride to the beach resort, then open bar with free flowing beer, wine and mixed drinks. Our chef, Luis, was both funny and so helpful. We were actually able to eat the 3 course meal we created, though opted out of the 1 hour 'beach time' afterwards, with both very warm temps and humidity causing a small group of us to seek an early taxi back to the town.

 

Luckily Cozumel's docking for Spirit was right at the main Punto Langosta pier, and pedicabs came all the way down the long pier for those of us with mobility issues or maybe just sore feet. Tip: You will need to take an escalator up and over a group of stores and walking bridge to get out of the terminal, unless you are with an authorized excursion, (then go though a security doorway). To your right, near the group staging area is a ramp, and small elevator to accomodate scooters, WC and cane or rollator pax such as myself.

 

A smaller branch of Los Cinco Soles is located in this South Melacor spot, the main branch and Pancho's Backyard, (mariachis, margaritas and eats), about a mile north (to the left of the dock). If you eat before you shop, you'll save money on your LCS purchases...I found some good values on their own branded vanilla extract (sans courmarin) and metiticulous Huichol beadwork. Mentioning that we were NCL Spirit pax also got us 10% off in one of the few stores without bartering.

 

Costa Maya our first stop,l ikewise had a very long pier, but they've got a people mover type shuttle that can transport a good sized group of pax about 2/3 of the way up and back. The created 'village' had inflated food/beverage and souvenir prices but they will barter a bit on the latter.

 

We researched the Ports boards then chose a Maya Chan Beach day, first transported by air conditioned bus. There are numerous speed bumps and some potholes making this short distance almost 30 minutes each way. The Gilligan's Island type funky resort itself was very welcoming and relaxing, with all inclusive bar, homemade luncheon and some floats/glass bottomed kayaks, 9 hole beach golf, 30 minute bicycle tour and other activites included.

 

Since DH agreed to another cruise, I treated him to a half hour massage, which he loved. The price was very reasonable, (about half that in the Spa), and a tip was warranted. We also chose to tip Zach, Preston and Hugo for very fine service and pampering. To see Himself sitting out in a float chair, then staff trotting out tall and frosty beverages was a hoot. We made it back in plenty of time for an afternoon nap in our lovely chilled stateroom.

 

Belize is a tendered port with Belize City itself a jumping off point for ship sponsered or independent excursions. We wanted to experience Caye Caulker, so booked with a local popular restaurant for the water taxi ride out and back. Our booking/deposit was apparently lost, but they promised it would be refunded so I drowned my sorrows in fresh watermelon juice and gratis conch fritters.

 

Tip: about halfway down the pier is a very nice enclosed mall with wonderful AC, clean bathrooms and an excellent pharmacia. We liked this better than the one in Cozumel and I found several Rx medications in generic form, about half the US price, and still USP coded and with fresh exiration dates.

 

The port of Coxen Hole was preferred over Mahogany Bay, another 'created' destination), and a good jumping off place for our Victor Bodden Best of Roatan tour. The pier isn't long and there are resting spots along the shopping arcade for those of us less spry individuals. The island is very lovely and lushly tropical. We enjoyed the drive itself as well as a stop at a popular West Bay beach, resort and another eatery.

 

Bucket list items such as sipping a tall and frosty Monkey Lala at a West Bay beach, diving into a platter of freshly made lobster baleadas overseen by a trio of tame parrots in a setting colorfully painted folk art dioramas and thatched palapa roofing was easily done.

 

Small shops along the way proved that prices for vanilla, Honduran coffee beans, woven/embroidered goods and carved mahogany were very competitive, plus the fact the weather cooperated with us the entire cruise, made for enjoyable, if somewhat sedentary explorations. The pattern of early breakfast, half day tour, early ship return for cooling down and drying off, afternoon naps then leisurely dinner was easily accomplished in NCL's freestyle atmosphere.

 

Disembarkation

 

Like embarkation and lifeboat drill, NCL has this down to a science and all went smoothly. We met our concierge near Henry's Pub (7 midship), and a wheelchair whisked me from stateroom to gangway. A large stack of Style (compliment) cards was left with ship's staff, and extra special gratuity envelopes passed out to concierge, butler and room steward.

 

Our bags with their distinctive VIP color coded tags were easily retrieved and Customs was, well customs. My $200 declaration apparently wasn't noteworthy so we were on our way via the prebooked Airport Shuttle by 9 a.m. Unfortunately the second segment of our flight was cancelled, making a total of 18 hours from Louis Armstrong Airport to home but even that was not enough to harsh our lovely cruise mellow.

 

In Conclusion

 

I was so impressed with NCL's Free Style cruising concept and execution, the Spirit and her crew in particular, and our overall treatment that I decided to partake of their Cruise Rewards program. So rather than plunking down a $500 deposit, it took just half that with a guarantee that we'd cruise NCL again in the next 4 years. Coupled with a $100 now cruise credit, that was a no-brainer.

 

Spirit will be going into a 2 week refurbishing dry dock this September, with sprucing up carpets, hard to get at balcony areas, brightwork and so on. She's a gorgeous gal with a bit of age on her, but we didn't notice any major wear and crew were constantly keeping up with carpet spills, burned out lighting, deckwork and such.

 

We did stay out of their way, but the bright smiles and friendly waves throughout the ship made it easy to see just why she'd developed a loyal following and can count us among them. Thanks for making this such an excellent adventure, well worth the money, and the stuff of dreams!

[mitsugirly]

Ports and Shore Excursions

 

Costa Maya our first stop,l ikewise had a very long pier, but they've got a people mover type shuttle that can transport a good sized group of pax about 2/3 of the way up and back.

 

Is this a free service or is there a charge?

 

We researched the Ports boards then chose a Maya Chan Beach day, first transported by air conditioned bus. There are numerous speed bumps and some potholes making this short distance almost 30 minutes each way. The Gilligan's Island type funky resort itself was very welcoming and relaxing, with all inclusive bar, homemade luncheon and some floats/glass bottomed kayaks, 9 hole beach golf, 30 minute bicycle tour and other activites included.

 

We have the Maya Chan booked for this September. I've heard nothing but excellent reviews of this place and it sounds like you enjoyed yourself too.

 

 

The port of Coxen Hole was preferred over Mahogany Bay, another 'created' destination), and a good jumping off place for our Victor Bodden Best of Roatan tour. We enjoyed the drive itself as well as a stop at a popular West Bay beach, resort and another eatery.

 

We are doing Victors Zip and Dip and will be going to West Bay as well. Did you go to a certain spot when there? Rent chairs? Where did you end up eating and what where the cost?

 

 

 

Loved your review. Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts with us.

[dave76310]

Loved your review. Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts with us.

 

That people mover in Costa Maya was free, though I'm sure tips were appreciated. It was like a set of trolley cars with an engine that changed ends each time it changed directions, and the engine could carry a few itself. I noticed some had arranged to ride that all the way to the ship at times. I agree that this was a great cruise, though we only had a last minute inside cabin. Only irritation was many of the slot machines had difficulty reading tickets, sometimes taking a couple of minutes to add your credit. I tried to get some smaller bills from the cashier to be able to mostly use cash instead of tickets in the machines and they limited the number they would give out, as if they were running out. That saved me plenty of money as I just quit playing, if I can't play the way I want to! Anyway, service, food, mini-cabin, shows, and entertainment were all great. Embark and disembark were without too much pain. Getting to like that freestyle brand. Table for 2 every night, go when you want, etc., etc. Why have it any other way? The theatre seats are a little short on leg room...enough room to sit comfortably, but everyone wants to sit in the aisle seats and you cannot get to the middle without everyone getting up. They need to make everyone start from the middle with the last ones getting the aisle seats. Too small to add more space.

[marci4tony]

POO - For VICTORS Zip and Dip - The Zip lines are great - not terribly strenuous, not terribly high, and very entertaining for even someone afraid of heights. My suggestion...

 

Before you leave the ship, grab a couple boxes of RAISIN BRAN. After you are done "zipping" you can go see the monkeys - and they LOVE to dig the raisins out of the boxes! You wanna talk about great photo ops - a monkey on your shoulder with a box of raisin bran... ;)

[kcfoxy]

Loved your review. Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts with us.

 

Thanks! To answer your specific questions: the people mover in Maya Chan was free of charge but I did notice a tip box or 2 attached to the contraption itself...dollar bills go very far for these types of dealios...

 

Maya Chan is fantastic! We had the pergola (canvas-covered) with 4 beach chairs, the one closest to the bar/dining area...it shows up quite well on the Maya Chan cam we like to check several times a week!

 

Be sure and tell Zach (your own personal Beach Boy) that the gal who gave him the carved Hawaiian turtle necklace says "Hi" (photo below)...this was our favorite 'kick back and do nothing but laze' port day and yes, we truly loved it.

 

In Roatan, we asked our driver/guide Brent to please take us to Bananarama/Ecotours as my DH wanted to try his hand at Wave Running and I wanted an umbrella drink. The Monkey Lala contained vodka, Kahlua, Bailey's and coconut cream with lots of crushed ice...like a milkshake for about $5.

 

I sat in the shaded dining area...you are on the sand! Our guide hung around with some other Bodden folk on the beach while DH did his thing (backed out in the end). There was no fee to eat/drink here, the view as super but the service was so so slow that if you have any sort of time limit, it might be better to fetch drinks from the bar yourself.

 

There are a number of all inclusives along this beach, got my own ideas where to stop from theRoatan port board for facilities such as Bananarama, or the Mayan Princess, where you can rent chairs, scuba equipment, have access to food/drink et al. Prices quoted anywhere from $10 to $20, and your guide will stop anywhere you like.

 

We ate at Celeste's, very picturesque, as I wanted to try the local favorite, baleadas. Sort of like quesadillas on steroids or a less contained super burrito. The enclosed photo may show 2 per plate, but 1 very large one was quite filling! We had chicken, shrimp or lobster with prices from $9-$11. The local banana soda is quite good as is the freshly squeezed lemonade, $2-$3 each.

[tennisfanusa]

Again, thanks for the "final" review and the awesome pics -- love it!

[glorialagos]

Only irritation was many of the slot machines had difficulty reading tickets, sometimes taking a couple of minutes to add your credit. I tried to get some smaller bills from the cashier to be able to mostly use cash instead of tickets in the machines and they limited the number they would give out, as if they were running out. That saved me plenty of money as I just quit playing, if I can't play the way I want to!

 

Thanks for letting me know this. I will be headed to the bank for small bills before we go. I am glad to know they take bills. Our last two cruises (CCL) required all gambling to be done on the room card and I was not a fan of that.

 

Could you tell me if they have the bulldozer type machines that push the quarters out? Our daughter is so excited, having recently turned 18, to be able to legally gamble. However, her only desire is that game (which she could legally play at Chuckie Cheese for the last 18 years!). I don't think I want her to get hooked on gambling so maybe that is a good thing.

 

By the way, any slot tips? I am not a big gambler at all and enjoy quarter slots with "something extra" - maybe Wheel of Fortune? Deal or No Deal? Any idea if those are available?

 

Thanks for the great review!

[v22wife]

fantastic review!!! Esp regarding the food. If there's one thing that we love, it's THAT! :) So between the reviews and the pics, I know exactly what will be headed for for the 7 days there. Thank you!

[collectingcoke]

I loved your reveiw! It was as fun to read as I'm sure it was to actually experience.