Jump to content

Goodbye (old) Spirit


KeithJenner
 Share

Recommended Posts

4 hours ago, hamrag said:

 

We are scheduled to be sailing on Spirit in March, and looking (belatedly) to book some specialty dining. Can you give me a rough indication of what the show times were on your cruise please?

Thanks.

We didn't go to the theatre, but looking at the dailies the shows were at 7.30 and 9.30 most nights, except just one show at 9pm on the first night.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

51 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

We didn't go to the theatre, but looking at the dailies the shows were at 7.30 and 9.30 most nights, except just one show at 9pm on the first night.

 

Thank you so much for coming right back, that is most helpful info'. Now heading to MyNCL to book our dining times around the shows.....much appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, hamrag said:

 

Thank you so much for coming right back, that is most helpful info'. Now heading to MyNCL to book our dining times around the shows.....much appreciated.

No problem.

 

Out of interest, are they offering online reservations for Teppanyaki now. They never used to on the Spirit as there was just one table, but after the refurb there will be more (3 I believe), so I'm wondering whether they have changed that now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

.....Out of interest, are they offering online reservations for Teppanyaki now. They never used to on the Spirit as there was just one table, but after the refurb there will be more (3 I believe), so I'm wondering whether they have changed that now.

No, reservations only being offered for Cagneys and Le Bistro with Teppanyaki showing 'no reservations offered'. Same for La Trattoria, which is listed as a dining option despite the fact it is to be replaced by the much trumpeted Onda by Scarpetta. There is no Moderno Churraxxxx listed, but maybe the Spirit doesn't have such? 

 

If I may, what is your opinion of the MDR food....some say it is awful, others say it is good!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, hamrag said:

No, reservations only being offered for Cagneys and Le Bistro with Teppanyaki showing 'no reservations offered'. Same for La Trattoria, which is listed as a dining option despite the fact it is to be replaced by the much trumpeted Onda by Scarpetta. There is no Moderno Churraxxxx listed, but maybe the Spirit doesn't have such? 

 

If I may, what is your opinion of the MDR food....some say it is awful, others say it is good!!

No, there isn't a Moderno on the Spirit.

 

I quite like the MDR food, but to be honest we rarely eat there. With the free at sea and platinum meals, we tend to only have a few nights not covered, and generally use the buffet or 24 hour places for those other nights. We have only been to the MDR a couple of times this year, but I enjoyed those meals.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

No, there isn't a Moderno on the Spirit.

 

I quite like the MDR food, but to be honest we rarely eat there. With the free at sea and platinum meals, we tend to only have a few nights not covered, and generally use the buffet or 24 hour places for those other nights. We have only been to the MDR a couple of times this year, but I enjoyed those meals.

 

That is pretty much what we do normally, but this cruise is 24 nights with 5 nights only with 'free at sea' and also our 2 platinum. That leaves 17 nights, so I think we will mix MDR and buffet with a few more nights dining package. Many thanks for your insights.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, steamboats said:

 

Yes, that´s the NCL video but nothing new in that which exceeds the press release. And no deck plans...

 

steamboats

When we were on the Spirit in DEC, the staff shared with us basically what the video shows. What some folk may not no it that the staff on the ship, waitstaff , housekeeping, etc. ate part of the “ renovation crew” , a bartender told us they are pulling out the staircases from the atrium area to open up the space and the bars will be  updated to reflect the “ New class” of ships. The space behind the Casino, which many people didn’t even know existed will be transformed into a more useable space. Most people are aware of the H20 vibe they want to set up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Love the renderings of the "new" SPIRIT.  Personally I think she has the potential to be the best ship in the NCL fleet.  Mostly adult oriented without all the "attractions" hogging up the deck space.  Can't wait to see the finished product, and I only wish she were sailing closer to North America.  

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, Joken35 said:

The space behind the Casino, which many people didn’t even know existed will be transformed into a more useable space. Most people are aware of the H20 vibe they want to set up.

 

There´s a Bliss Ultra Lounge announced in the press release and that´s pretty likely the place where it will be built in.

 

steamboats

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Georgie562 said:

Looks like the work has begun

 

Work started right away on Jan 3rd when she went into dry dock. It started pretty right after the last passengers disembarked and on the way to the shipyard in Marseilles. KeithJenner posted photos on page 1 of this thread where you can see the dismantling of the basketball court and containers being brought onboard (for garbage).

 

steamboats

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/14/2020 at 6:18 PM, eroller said:

Love the renderings of the "new" SPIRIT.  Personally I think she has the potential to be the best ship in the NCL fleet.  Mostly adult oriented without all the "attractions" hogging up the deck space.  Can't wait to see the finished product, and I only wish she were sailing closer to North America.  


I’m on Joy right now and am a bit sad when comparing photos of the original open deck areas to the post-conversion (lack of) space. It looked more peaceful in its pre-laser tag days. 
 

The rendering of the new Spirit convinced me to switch my autumn vacation plans - I bought CN certificates right after boarding and immediately booked a balcony for the Thanksgiving sailing in Japan. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/14/2020 at 6:18 PM, eroller said:

Love the renderings of the "new" SPIRIT.  Personally I think she has the potential to be the best ship in the NCL fleet.  Mostly adult oriented without all the "attractions" hogging up the deck space.  Can't wait to see the finished product, and I only wish she were sailing closer to North America.  

Perhaps a harbinger of Leonardo? One can hope.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Traveled on the Spirit exactly one year ago and loved it.  The outdoor aft stairs went all the way up to the buffet! No one ever used them and they were the perfect escape to lose the crowds. There was a life guard on duty all times and I'm not sure the life guard ever saw more than 10 people the whole cruise. 

 

The ship visited the Canary Islands. Lots of fun on that itinerary.  Haven't seen any NCL itineraries going there this year or next.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/14/2020 at 9:18 PM, eroller said:

Love the renderings of the "new" SPIRIT.  Personally I think she has the potential to be the best ship in the NCL fleet.  Mostly adult oriented without all the "attractions" hogging up the deck space.  Can't wait to see the finished product, and I only wish she were sailing closer to North America.  

Absolutely  agree. We were on the Spirit in December and I so wish she was staying in the Med. It will be the perfect ship for adult oriented sailings.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/19/2020 at 12:48 AM, eroller said:

BTW are new and updated deck plans available anywhere?  They are not update on ncl.com best I can tell.  

Deck plans have all been updated as of now on ncl.com. They do look interesting:

 

  • It looks like Spirit is becoming the first practically adult-only ship in the NCL fleet as permanent teen or kid zones are no more. Splash Academy is turning into staterooms and the top-deck Teen zone is becoming an isolated "Lounge". Spirit will sail short Okinawa itineraries from Hong Kong and those dates will certainly draw some families. 
  • All the quiet spaces on Deck 12 are giving way to one big gym. No more libraries and card rooms marked on the plans. 
  • Onda is expanding into the covered outdoor terrace and its galley is taking up Garden Cafe space.
  • Out of the 3 meeting rooms on Deck 8, one will become the photo studio and the other becoming the art gallery. Only one all-purpose meeting room left. I thought cruise lines need those revenue-generating galleries to be more visible?
  • Glass elevators could be here to stay even the staircase will be replaced by the massive screen. If that's the case, above the atrium there might still be natural light instead of another dazzling LED lighting madness.
  • Henry's Pub remains. Along with the Windows (maybe Bier Garten too?) these are the last two/three outlets inheriting their names from the Super Star Leo era, though the pub was then called "Henry the Black" and at a different location. Leo had mother-ported in Hong Kong for 5 years until 2004 and it's coming back for the first time in 16 years.
  • The new layout is showing no sign of catering to any Asia markets, as are the super long itineraries that cover many major Chinese cities. Perhaps NCL is keeping things flexible.

I'm looking to book one of those longer cruises from Hong Kong or intensive Japan cruises. I really like the itinerary featuring Niigata, Akita and other lesser-known ports, but that's exactly when Tokyo 2020 is underway and hotel rates are through the roof. On the other hand, mainland Chinese ports are not appealing to many Asia-based cruisers. The soft rates on those itineraries are telling signs....maybe Hong Kong is a big factor though.

Edited by chankahon
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

29 minutes ago, chankahon said:

Deck plans have all been updated as of now on ncl.com. They do look interesting:

 

  • It looks like Spirit is becoming the first practically adult-only ship in the NCL fleet as permanent teen or kid zones are no more. Splash Academy is turning into staterooms and the top-deck Teen zone is becoming an isolated "Lounge". Spirit will sail short Okinawa itineraries from Hong Kong and those dates will certainly draw some families. 
  • All the quiet spaces on Deck 12 are giving way to one big gym. No more libraries and card rooms marked on the plans. 
  • Onda is expanding into the covered outdoor terrace and its galley is taking up Garden Cafe space.
  • Out of the 3 meeting rooms on Deck 8, one will become the photo studio and the other becoming the art gallery. Only one all-purpose meeting room left. I thought cruise lines need those revenue-generating galleries to be more visible?
  • Glass elevators could be here to stay even the staircase will be replaced by the massive screen. If that's the case, above the atrium there might still be natural light instead of another dazzling LED lighting madness.
  • Henry's Pub remains. Along with the Windows (maybe Bier Garten too?) these are the last two/three outlets inheriting their names from the Super Star Leo era, though the pub was then called "Henry the Black" and at a different location. Leo had mother-ported in Hong Kong for 5 years until 2004 and it's coming back for the first time in 16 years.
  • The new layout is showing no sign of catering to any Asia markets, as are the super long itineraries that cover many major Chinese cities. Perhaps NCL is keeping things flexible.

I'm looking to book one of those longer cruises from Hong Kong or intensive Japan cruises. I really like the itinerary featuring Niigata, Akita and other lesser-known ports, but that's exactly when Tokyo 2020 is underway and hotel rates are through the roof. On the other hand, mainland Chinese ports are not appealing to many Asia-based cruisers. The soft rates on those itineraries are telling signs....maybe Hong Kong is a big factor though.

 

One minor correction on that Henry's Pub location: it has always been there in the same space.

 

In case you've missed them, NCL has also updated the balcony stateroom rendering:

881x400_ncl_Spirit_Balcony_Recat_May_01_

881x400_Spirit_Schematic_Balcony_Statero

There are minor changes in the color palate and that bed looks tiny in the floor plan. Overall it feels more refined than the usual NCL offerings. Below is an interior stateroom with no extra bed:

 

881x400_ncl_Spirit_Inside_Stateroom_Reca

 

It does look like they're not keeping any fixture in the cabins. Hope the food and service match the design.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, chankahon said:
  • It looks like Spirit is becoming the first practically adult-only ship in the NCL fleet as permanent teen or kid zones are no more. Splash Academy is turning into staterooms and the top-deck Teen zone is becoming an isolated "Lounge". Spirit will sail short Okinawa itineraries from Hong Kong and those dates will certainly draw some families. 

 

Yes, that´s what was said in the PR that it will be a ship for adults (with older kids - so more teenagers).

 

Have to check the deck plans later.

 

steamboats

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...