Review, 15 Days of Spirit to Hawaii, Ahola

[Coasty]

We have always wanted to do this cruise. We were booked on the NCL Spirit out of Tampa and cancelled without any penalty about six months prior to the cruise date. We had booked a balcony and as the prices dropped we up-graded first to an extended balcony and then hit the jack pot and ended up with an AFT extended balcony on the Main deck (number 4), just above the Anytime part of the main dinning room.

 

We took a 7 hour drive from Arizona to the port and checked into the San Pedro DoubleTree. We made reservations in advance for the most inexpensive room and about a week before we were scheduled to arrive used our CLC membership to re-book and got a rate reduction that was better the hotwire, priceline or anything else. The DoubleTree was great, not any better then ***+ but with the free parking for 15 days I would recommend this hotel and plan on staying here for our next cruise. The hotel manager, Tommy introduced himself to us at breakfast, the bell hops, front desk and shuttle drivers to the port were all very nice. The breakfast buffy was a little on the spendy side, but we saved so much on the room, went ahead and enjoyed the convenience of eating at the hotel. The night before we had dinner at the 22nd Street Landing Seafood Bar and Grill just a short walk from the hotel. Good food, service and wonderful views.

 

Embarkation was slow. The ship was late getting in due to bad wx coming back from Mexico. We were in the first group after the VIP's and boarded around 2pm

 

Our cabin, a AFT extended balcony on the Main deck was ready at 2:30. It was as expected, spotless, fresh and in very good shape for a 10 year old ship. We met our cabin steward and his assistant and expressed our special request for the cruise and they didn't miss a thing for the next 15 days. Two very nice, friendly and hard working young men.

 

We sailed on the Carnival Spirit last December to Southern Mexico and enjoyed the Spirit last year. For being at sea 10 years I found the ship to be in very good condition. It is going into dry dock soon and will be refitted for its move to Australia. The crew is very friendly, and I had a hard time keeping up with all the greetings from them. This was a senior cruise. I have never seen so many canes, wheel chairs, gimps and fat folks in my last 67 years. I would expect this group on all future Hawaiian voyages. There were less the 100 kids on board and we never saw one that was not a joy to watch or talk to. Now, the old coots were sometimes a different story. Be patient and just go with flow, especially at the hog trough (buffy).

 

Dining was a little different then a year ago. We found the menus in the MDR left a bit to be desired. Each of our meals there were enjoyable and even tho we had our favorite server Elana, most of the time, the others were also very good during Any Time Dining. We had breakfast and lunch a few times also in the MDR and ate a number of times for lunch at the Lido buffy. We had room service every morning to start our day and they were always on time. On a few occasions they would forget part of the order, but with a phone call the items would be replaced post haste. Burgers and dogs were available at the midship pool almost all day. We could always get eggs cooked to order at the buffy and hot and cold sandwiches at the Deli were very good. Ice cream sundaes were available on the back of the Lido after 3pm and soft serve was always available. Now if I could only get the hogs to sanitize their hands before scooping up the chow. And then there is always some jerk who eats his way through the line. Get some manners.

 

The first night we had dinner at the Steak House. Worth the $30 each. I had Surf and Turf and Bev had Lobster. You have to order the Chocolate Sampler for desert. They threw in a bottle of wine on the first night.

 

We also ordered room service a couple of times. The BLT and Shrimp PoBoy was excellent. Always order cookies from room service, their great.

 

Entertainment was good. We enjoyed three shows best. Big Easy (The New Orleans Show, Comedy Hypnosis and the Game of Love. Loads of music every where. Stu does a fine job keeping the activities going. Loads of BINGO and the casino was a great place to blow a few bucks.

 

We have been to the Island three times on cruises and have flown over an additional four or five times. We rented cars from Alamo and Thrifty through "discount hawaii car rental" (add the dot com) and never paid over $34.12 per day. Do not pre pay fuel. Just fill it up before you turn it in. You will save about $10 per rental. We did self tours by car or bus on all the Island except Kauai. When we got off the ship in Honolulu we met Alex of Alex Tours. His operation is out of Nawiliwili on Kauai and charges $45 at the end of the tour. His buses hold 10. Look for him in Honolulu, he fly's in and put you on the list for the next day. His 4 hour tour turned out to be about 5.5 hours.

 

If you get off the ship in Ensenada, do not, and I repeat, do not waste your time going into town at night. There is plenty to do and see at the pier. We found downtown to be dark, dingy and boring. Perhaps it is a different story in the day time.

 

Disembarking was a snap. Best U.S.Customs service we have ever had, quick pick-up by DoubleTree back to our car and a nice ride back to Arizona.

 

We will sail with Carnival again and enjoyed being with them for a third time.

 

See our cc roll call for this cruise here http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1228136

[Umbarger]

This was one of our favorite cruises. We loved very few kids on board. My mom is disabled and used a scooter. It wasn't any fun for her as the ship was not accessible friendly.

[rockabutzer]

This makes it pretty tempting to change from NCL to Carnival. Currently booked with NCL for Jan 2013. I know it would make DW happy. :D

[maggiesmom121]

"I have never seen so many canes, wheel chairs, gimps and fat folks in my last 67 years. "

 

Are you really this arrogant or did it come out wrong? Hope you don't grow up to become one of the above.

[Robwerks]

Enjoyed your review. Looking forward to this cruise in April. So the Double Tree offers free parking? For a 15 day cruise that saves a chunk of change! I need to investigate further. Thanks again!!

[Seydlitz]

What was the weather like on the sea days?

[Coasty]

"I have never seen so many canes, wheel chairs, gimps and fat folks in my last 67 years. "

 

Are you really this arrogant or did it come out wrong? Hope you don't grow up to become one of the above.

 

maggiesmom, what you read was my cruise review. Were you on this cruise? Did you find anything in my review that would help you reach a decision about this cruise in the future? Or are you looking for trouble or trying to get a reputation here after only 42 post?

 

Or are you one of those inconsiderate people who hobble down the middle of a passage way or ram your scooter into my ankles or pull your wheel chair up to the steps and don,t have a clue or give a damn that there are 97 people waiting to get around you?

 

Arrogant, perhaps. Fed up with inconsiderate seniors who think they get a pass because of their age or physical condition, you bet.

[gelo7]

Nice review.

[Coasty]

What was the weather like on the sea days?

 

The wx left a bit to be desired. It was cool as we pulled out of San Pedro, around 65 and cloudy for the next four days. When we arrived in the Islands thing got much better, as expected. Up to 81 on one day. WX was a little better on the way back. However, don't concern yourself, wait a minute and it will change:p

[Coasty]

Enjoyed your review. Looking forward to this cruise in April. So the Double Tree offers free parking? For a 15 day cruise that saves a chunk of change! I need to investigate further. Thanks again!!

 

Bob this is the second time we have used the free parking at the DoubleTree while on a cruise. Their policy says 14 day max. but if you leave your key card envelope on the dash any one who checks your car will see you are a guest;) Talk to the bell hops or Tommy the General Manager. Nice property.

[Umbarger]

maggiesmom,

Or are you one of those inconsiderate people who hobble down the middle of a passage way or ram your scooter into my ankles or pull your wheel chair up to the steps and don,t have a clue or give a damn that there are 97 people waiting to get around you?

 

Arrogant, perhaps. Fed up with inconsiderate seniors who think they get a pass because of their age or physical condition, you bet.

 

Wow! Just wow!

 

People who hobble have no choice in the matter. They hobble because they are disabled or old. One day you might hobble. One day you might become disabled. You just never know.

 

So you might have to wait on someone disabled. How horrible. Why are you in such a hurry? You are on vacation. Having a little patience for those less fortunate than you, won't kill you.

 

So should all disabled or old people stay home because they might inconvenience you? I am so glad they are still getting out and not staying home and looking at four walls.

[JaniceB]

Enjoyed reading your review. I will be sailing on the Spirit in May in an aft wrap balcony on deck 4. Did you feel much vibration on this ship and how was the location?

Loved your comparision of the buffet to a "hog trough"!

[Coasty]

Enjoyed reading your review. I will be sailing on the Spirit in May in an aft wrap balcony on deck 4. Did you feel much vibration on this ship and how was the location?

Loved your comparision of the buffet to a "hog trough"!

 

JaniceB, there was a bit of vibration in our 4230. The t.v., safe door and small mirror in the bath made most of the racket. We jammed a little paper here and there to help stop the noise. Most of the racket was on the fist two days in rougher seas. We either got use to it or it stopped later in the cruise. Loved the location. This was our second aft and it will be hard to go back to balcony on the side. We knew the pax on the starboard side (wrap) and they complained a lot about wind noise coming in the door to the balcony. If you are in that one, take a roll of 2" making tape and that should quite things down when you are trying to sleep.

[Sh1035]

maggiesmom, what you read was my cruise review. Were you on this cruise? Did you find anything in my review that would help you reach a decision about this cruise in the future? Or are you looking for trouble or trying to get a reputation here after only 42 post?

 

Or are you one of those inconsiderate people who hobble down the middle of a passage way or ram your scooter into my ankles or pull your wheel chair up to the steps and don,t have a clue or give a damn that there are 97 people waiting to get around you?

 

Arrogant, perhaps. Fed up with inconsiderate seniors who think they get a pass because of their age or physical condition, you bet.

 

 

being old or disabled is one thing.....being 500 pounds or lazy

is your own damn fault! My 90yo grandma never slowed us down once on a panama canal cruise.

 

great review and thanks!

[jonbgd]

Arrogant, perhaps. Fed up with inconsiderate seniors who think they get a pass because of their age or physical condition, you bet.

Wow:eek: really???? Do you have any parents or elderly loved ones??

 

One day that will be you;)

[sanmarcosman]

Wow:eek: really???? Do you have any parents or elderly loved ones??

 

One day that will be you;)

 

One day???

[Coasty]

Wow:eek: really???? Do you have any parents or elderly loved ones??

 

One day that will be you;)

 

How about reading the review before you make such a stupid comment.

 

My parents passed years ago and most of my friends are around my age or older. As far as your quote, "one day that will be you", I will never be inconsiderate of others, I will never ram a scooter into people ahead of me, I will never let my body become a blob, so heavy I can't get out of my own way.

 

jonbgd, if you are one of the people I was talking about, how about taking another look at yourself and get some manners.

[jonbgd]

How about reading the review before you make such a stupid comment.

 

My parents passed years ago and most of my friends are around my age or older. As far as your quote, "one day that will be you", I will never be inconsiderate of others, I will never ram a scooter into people ahead of me, I will never let my body become a blob, so heavy I can't get out of my own way.

 

jonbgd, if you are one of the people I was talking about, how about taking another look at yourself and. get some manners.

Actually I did read the review It was OK. How would I have come to that comment if I hadnt read it. It is about half way in the review.

Ive been on the Spirit a few times and I would know on a long cruise there would be alot of retired people on it. But what stood out to me is someone of your age bashing other elderly people.

 

Concerning 'one day that will be you' is one day you will have diffuculty getting around.You are in your mid 60's and a hip or knee is probably getting ready to be replaced.

Who knows maybe you will have a prostate issue and you will need chemo and than put on weight due to the steroids.

Just because someone walks with a cane or is in a wheelchair isnt always a choice.

 

Im not one of those people you are talking about but I guess your screen name has nothing to do with the USCG or you would know that I take care of people.

I have compassion for people that may be injured or have a illness. I also respect others, especially my elders.

 

But from what I read, you dont respect others, it is all about you.

So I will add Pompous to the arrogant statement:cool:

[boaterette]

Thanks for the great review. I found quite a few inconsiderate older folks on my cruise too. One man tried pushing his wife who was in a wheelchair into a completely filled elevator telling us to squish in further. We were full when we stopped at that floor.There was no where to squish in. Then he yelled at us all. My 90 year old mother got ran into several times by people in scooters. One lady in a scooter rammed this older gentleman in the elevator and hurt his legs. Sorry but some of these people just dont care.

[av8tr21]

How about reading the review before you make such a stupid comment.

 

My parents passed years ago and most of my friends are around my age or older. As far as your quote, "one day that will be you", I will never be inconsiderate of others, I will never ram a scooter into people ahead of me, I will never let my body become a blob, so heavy I can't get out of my own way.

 

jonbgd, if you are one of the people I was talking about, how about taking another look at yourself and get some manners.

 

Great review, thanks for posting! I hope to someday do a Hawaii cruise either from the US mainland or around the islands. I understand what you are saying about the "inconsiderates". Something I don't have patience for either, but only if the attitude of entitlement is present. Sometimes the types of people you have mentioned are extremely nice, courteous, and all around great people. Makes me wonder if all the people flaming you are those "inconsiderates" :eek: At any rate, I have tried to stay away from the Carnival boards for a while because it seems everyone is always so "flame happy" and ready to jump on everyones throats. Things over at Royal Caribbean have been much better...that and I'm not sailing on Carnival in the near future :cool:

[JaniceB]

Thanks for the hint on taking masking tape, I will have to add this to my list. I am not sailing across the Pacific, but if it is windy I don't want to hear it.

 

Happy New Year!

[LBumb]

nice review.

[LHP]

Thanks for the review...we are sailing on the April run.

[tiggerman101]

Thanks for the review. This is our next cruise and i have been chomping at the bit for a year and a half waiting for it.