Spirit or Star - Which would you choose?

[moonjelly]

I have cruised on the Star 3 times and the Spirit once.

 

I would choose the Spirit and will not likely go back to the Star. My third trip on her was after they removed her goregous forward observation lounge (the Spinnaker Lounge, the heart of the ship for me) and fashioined a makeshift, low ceiling, hot lights right on your heads for dancing, no-view club down in the bowels.

 

For some, this would make no difference. If you enjoy nightlife and the "off the main stage" shows like comedy night, White Hot party, 2nd city improv, audience participation type games, etc., the Galaxy of the Stars lounge on the Spirit would be much better! Also, I love the Spirit and her beautiful decor. As others have mentioned, the aft tiered decks and the hot tub with a panoramic view of the ocean (instead of the closed in pool deck) are awesome.

 

That being said, the crews of both ships were fantastic and friendly and really made the trips for me.

 

Good luck with your decision!

[CarynRenee]

Thank you all for the great information and taking the time to respond. You've all given me lots to think about in the next few days while we make our decisions!

[medicalma'am]

I would choose the Star because of the spa. I usually get a spa pass for the week and the Spirit does not have a wet area available in their spa.

[CarynRenee]

I would choose the Star because of the spa. I usually get a spa pass for the week and the Spirit does not have a wet area available in their spa.

 

Hello. Thanks for that information - I hadn't thought much about the spa, but maybe a massage would be a nice treat while daddy or the grandparents watch the baby :) I'm sure I can get a massage on either ship, but I don't remember the extras with the spa pass.

 

Does the spa on the Star have the heated tiled chairs as part of the spa pass (that's what I remember seeing on our tour of the spa on the Jade two years ago and I thought it seemed like a nice relaxing spot)? Also, can you remind me of the cost and what's included? I think that might be something that my parents would like.

 

So much to think about!

[ltlarry123]

Where can I see info discussing future drydock of Spirit?

 

Check the NCL website and go to the media link on the bottom of the homepage. Then click your way to see all press releases.

 

There, if you scroll down, you'll see the description of the other ships that were drydocked this year, and what was done to them. I am sure that NCL will post a similar release during Spirit's drydock when she is there.

 

Hope this helps!

[98Charlie]

Have sailed the Star 4 times and will embark on the Spirit end of November for our 5th cruise on her. Spirit is our favorite ship of all we've sailed so far and we've cruised about 34 times over the past 8+ years. Star had been our favorite ship until we ``discovered'' the Spirit.

 

We enjoy the Asian decor of the Spirit. It's a nice change and seems to provide a very relaxing atmosphere.

 

The children's aft Bucaneer pool area is a great area.

 

Above all, the officers, staff and crew of the Spirit have always been top notch over the 5 years we've sailed on the ship. DH & I always say that the crew of the Spirit take the name of their ship to heart and put true cruising spirit into day to day lives.

 

This will be our 4th cruise on the Spirit out of Nola during the week after Thanksgiving. Have always had good weather in the Gulf and in Nola during that week. There's occasional hour or two showers at the ports but that's to be expected in tropical climates.

 

Dianne

[mafig]

I'd like to sail on the Spirit. We've never sailed out of New Orleans and I'd like to do that.

 

However, why are the suites on Spirit so expensive compared to Star (or other ships too with the exception of Epic)?

[CarynRenee]

Thank you, 98charlie, for the information from having sailed both ships many times. We are leaning toward that week after Thanksgiving at this point, so we may be on the same cruise. I have a feeling that the transportation to the Tampa port may be significantly cheaper, though, so we might need to include that factor in the end.

 

I love the polar bear in your signature. That's the theme of our son's nursery :)

 

mafig, I noticed the same thing regarding the prices of the suites on the Spirit. I'm assuming that the suites on the Spirit are so much more expensive because there aren't very many of them compared to the other ships and that limited supply means they fill up faster.

[98Charlie]

CarynRenee, we have found that Air Tran normally has the cheapest flights for us from CMH to Nola during the weekend after Thanksgiving.

 

Dianne

[mafig]

 

mafig, I noticed the same thing regarding the prices of the suites on the Spirit. I'm assuming that the suites on the Spirit are so much more expensive because there aren't very many of them compared to the other ships and that limited supply means they fill up faster.

 

 

You're right. That's probably it. Thanks for getting back to me.:)

[CarynRenee]

CarynRenee, we have found that Air Tran normally has the cheapest flights for us from CMH to Nola during the weekend after Thanksgiving.

 

Dianne

 

I don't live in Ohio anymore, but my parents are still there, so I'll pass that along to my Mom. They are closer to CLE or CAK, but if it's significantly cheaper, CMH would be worth the extra drive. (Although I believe Air Tran flies to CAK regularly also...will have to look!) Thanks for the suggestion!

[98Charlie]

I don't live in Ohio anymore, but my parents are still there, so I'll pass that along to my Mom. They are closer to CLE or CAK, but if it's significantly cheaper, CMH would be worth the extra drive. (Although I believe Air Tran flies to CAK regularly also...will have to look!) Thanks for the suggestion!

 

Just did a quick search on Air Tran using the date before using the date before our Nov. 27 cruise and flying back day cruise gets back into port. Checking CLE, CAK and CMH, CMH was the cheapest by many dollars.

 

Our November Spirit cruise departs the Sun. after Thanksgiving. It's a heavy travel weekend but in all the years we've flown to different ports that weekend (this will be the 8th year we've cruised the week after Thanksgiving), we've never had a real problem with flights.

 

Dianne

[mdeering]

I'd like to sail on the Spirit. We've never sailed out of New Orleans and I'd like to do that.

 

However, why are the suites on Spirit so expensive compared to Star (or other ships too with the exception of Epic)?

 

When you are checking prices all the other ships (and most of the other cruise lines) are listing mini-suites as suites. The Spirit doesn't have mini-suites, so the price is for a full suite. At least the aft Spirit suites have separate bedrooms. The sofa makes a very comfortable single bed, as long as the steward makes it up with a regular mattress.

 

My vote is for the Spirit, simply because it won't be in New Orleans for much longer. It is a ship that should not be missed.

[CarynRenee]

Just did a quick search on Air Tran using the date before using the date before our Nov. 27 cruise and flying back day cruise gets back into port. Checking CLE, CAK and CMH, CMH was the cheapest by many dollars.

 

Our November Spirit cruise departs the Sun. after Thanksgiving. It's a heavy travel weekend but in all the years we've flown to different ports that weekend (this will be the 8th year we've cruised the week after Thanksgiving), we've never had a real problem with flights.

 

Dianne

 

Thanks. I went off and did a few similar searches (although I didn't even check CMH, only checked that CAK was reasonable) myself after seeing your tip :) I also checked Tampa since we are considering the Star as well, and if we go the week after Thanksgiving, we do have some family in Florida that we could visit for the long weekend first. In general, though, I'm happy to see that airfare to both ports is better now than it was just a couple days ago. For my parents who are not partial to any particular airline, Air Tran may win for them!

 

I nearly always travel around Thanksgiving, either home to Ohio or on vacation, and very rarely have any issue with flights. In fact, I think Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day are two of the best days to fly.

 

Anyhow, thanks again for the information. We've got a lot to sort out in the next few days!!

[98Charlie]

Thanks. I went off and did a few similar searches (although I didn't even check CMH, only checked that CAK was reasonable) myself after seeing your tip :) I also checked Tampa since we are considering the Star as well, and if we go the week after Thanksgiving, we do have some family in Florida that we could visit for the long weekend first. In general, though, I'm happy to see that airfare to both ports is better now than it was just a couple days ago. For my parents who are not partial to any particular airline, Air Tran may win for them!

 

I nearly always travel around Thanksgiving, either home to Ohio or on vacation, and very rarely have any issue with flights. In fact, I think Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day are two of the best days to fly.

 

Anyhow, thanks again for the information. We've got a lot to sort out in the next few days!!

 

So many decisions. But which ever ship you decide to cruise, you will be picking a good ship. Like I said before, we've cruised the Star many times and have enjoyed each of those cruises.

 

Tampa airport and cruiseport and NOLA airport and cruiseport are equally good and easy to navigate.

 

We've become partial to cruising out of NOLA because we love spending an extra day prior to and after our cruise in the Big Easy. Those delicious Gulf shrimp and oysters are calling to me as I type. That's a big thing for us since we don't get great seafood here in landlocked Ohio.:D

 

(Besides, we truly love the atmosphere of the French Quarter in general.:cool:)

 

Dianne

[DHnDWplus2]

I can't compare the Spirit to the Star because I have never been on Star, but I can say the port in NO is very well run and it will be a breeze getting on and off the ship. We last sailed the Spirit during Thanksgiving and the Carribean weather was fabulous everyday, although it was cold in NO! Have a great time!

[PaulnKarl]

The Spirit leaves the North American fleet in Oct. 2012 and will be replaced in NOLA by the Star. So why not try the Spirit while the opportunity avails itself, then try the Star the following year!

[CarynRenee]

I can't compare the Spirit to the Star because I have never been on Star, but I can say the port in NO is very well run and it will be a breeze getting on and off the ship. We last sailed the Spirit during Thanksgiving and the Carribean weather was fabulous everyday, although it was cold in NO! Have a great time!

 

Thank you. I've heard good things about the New Orleans port, and we like to visit every once in awhile. (Having a Harrah's there doesn't hurt either...) I'm really glad to hear that we can hopefully expect great weather at that time!

[KansasCityGuys]

I found this thread to be rather interesting. I have been on the Star and of the three NCL ships I have been on, Star, Pearl, and Sky, the Star was my favorite and the Sky was my least favorite.

 

We are thinking about going on the Spirit in April, not as much for the ship but because we want to get back to New Orleans.

 

Thanks to the people who have expressed the differences between the two ships. i will be interested to what all will happen in drydock.

[CarynRenee]

The Spirit leaves the North American fleet in Oct. 2012 and will be replaced in NOLA by the Star. So why not try the Spirit while the opportunity avails itself, then try the Star the following year!

 

That's a great idea, but we may have two potential issues with this approach...(1) we are using a CAS free cruise certificate, and the last time we checked, the week we are most interested in was not available for the Spirit, and (2) we are unlikely to sail the same itinerary again, at least within a couple years. I know it will be fabulous this time, but itinerary is usually the primary consideration for us since we like to see new places each time. But sooner or later, we'll have to do more repeat destinations and just enjoy each cruise :)

 

I do love the idea of sailing on the Spirit before it leaves NOLA, but I'm not sure it's going to happen due to some other constraints (coordinating the schedules of five adults, availablity for the CAS certificate, etc). We'll see what we can arrange in the next few days! Either way, it will be good!

[CarynRenee]

Thanks to the people who have expressed the differences between the two ships.

 

I agree - thanks to all of you who have responded! It has been interesting to read the different opinions and perspectives, some who have a preference due to the embarkation port, some to ship's amenities or decor, and some to other reasons.

[bdaddyiii]

Thank you for the quick response! Have you already sailed the Star or is that an upcoming trip for you?

 

For all - I thought of a few more questions:

1) Has anybody sailed that itinerary in the Nov/Dec timeframe? Was the weather still nice at all of the ports? Any problems with choppy seas?

 

2) I'm pretty sure that the Spirit won't have any activities for my 10-month old son, and I suspect the same is true of the Star, but if anybody knows of more infant-friendly activities on the Star, I'd be interested to hear about that, too.

 

Thanks!

My DW and I sailed on the Spirt Thanksgiving week two years ago and the weather was amazing. The Spirt is an excellant ship and we have judge all other ships to her since she was the first we sailed on. Of course non have compaired but have been nice in their own way. We did not buy an excurssion in Costa Maya but instead got off the ship and rented a golf cart for 60 dollars or so for the day and drove to the small fishing village outside the port for some really good shopping, food, and the best margarita's ever. The shows were nice and the casino was in the very front of the boat so if you do not gamble or smoke you dont have to walk through it to get anywhere. The port in New Orleans is really nice and really fast on both side of the trip. I have parked at the dock as well as did a stay and park at a hotel in the french quarter. I will always do the park and stay and take the taxi it seems to speed things up getting on and getting off as you don't have to deal with the traffic. Saying that I am planing to take the Star out of New Orleans in November 2012 because the weather is so nice that time of year not to hot not to cold. Hope this was of some help. Sorry for the typo's.

[CarynRenee]

Thanks to all of you for the great feedback to my original questions. I just wanted to follow up to say that due to a number of factors (primarily our schedule limitations and availability for using the CAS cruise certificates), we are booked on the Star for the 11/27/11 sailing out of Tampa. We're a little disappointed to miss the Spirit out of NOLA, but at the same time, this will allow us to extend the Thanksgiving weekend and spend time with family that we have in Florida as well.

 

Looking forward to it, and now have lots more research and planning to do for excursions, flights, etc!

 

Thanks again, and happy cruising :)

[98Charlie]

Thanks to all of you for the great feedback to my original questions. I just wanted to follow up to say that due to a number of factors (primarily our schedule limitations and availability for using the CAS cruise certificates), we are booked on the Star for the 11/27/11 sailing out of Tampa. We're a little disappointed to miss the Spirit out of NOLA, but at the same time, this will allow us to extend the Thanksgiving weekend and spend time with family that we have in Florida as well.

 

Looking forward to it, and now have lots more research and planning to do for excursions, flights, etc!

 

Thanks again, and happy cruising :)

 

IMHO, either choice is a good choice. Love both ships.

 

If the Star happens to pass paths with the Spirit in the Gulf or ports along side the Spirit during your cruise, look over to the Lido deck. Dh & I will be waving at you.:)

 

Have a great cruise with your family.

 

Dianne

[halos]

Thank you for the quick response! Have you already sailed the Star or is that an upcoming trip for you?

 

For all - I thought of a few more questions:

1) Has anybody sailed that itinerary in the Nov/Dec timeframe? Was the weather still nice at all of the ports? Any problems with choppy seas?

 

Thanks!

Nov/Dec is FABULOUS as far as weather goes!!!!!

 

IMHO, I have sialed both ships and loved both of them...I do love the look of the Spirit a little more than the Star, but that doesn't make that much a difference in the cruise.

I also love sailing out of both NOLA and FL so I can be of no help to you there either...But, no matter which ship you chooose I wish you blue skies and calm seas (and in that time frame, your chances of that are excellent :))

 

 

Thanks to all of you for the great feedback to my original questions. I just wanted to follow up to say that due to a number of factors (primarily our schedule limitations and availability for using the CAS cruise certificates), we are booked on the Star for the 11/27/11 sailing out of Tampa. We're a little disappointed to miss the Spirit out of NOLA, but at the same time, this will allow us to extend the Thanksgiving weekend and spend time with family that we have in Florida as well.

 

 

 

Looking forward to it, and now have lots more research and planning to do for excursions, flights, etc!

 

 

 

Thanks again, and happy cruising

 

 

 

Ooops, just saw this!!

 

Happy sailing to you!!