Shadowmeboy's "Spirit"ed Return to Alaska

shadowmeboy · October 29, 2022

Looking back at Pier 66

I really like how Norwegian is doing the Muster Drill post Covid. I appreciate not having to be stuck in a boring safety briefing with a power hungry muster station leader. I like going to your muster station, scanning your card, and getting on with your cruise vacation.

Muster Station list and location

Remember that continental breakfast, it had worn off! So we headed to Windows (Aft Main Dining Room).

The other MDR on the Spirit was never open on our cruise. The passenger and crew levels were not conducive to needing it. Also, Window never really felt full, so it wasn't packed like the Manhattan Room gets on the Breakaway Class ships.

A very empty Dining Room for our first lunch!

Food Porn warning!

Susan got the Cobb Salad to start.

I got a Wedge with Ranch instead of blue Cheese Dressing. I also picked off all those nasty Blue Cheese crumbles.

Susan got the Chicken Quesadillas

I got the Burger with some bacon.

Susan got the Five Spice Mango Tapioca Pudding

I got the Crème Caramel

Trace and Maria joined us at the adjoining table. This was the first of Trace's Philly Cheesesteaks for this cruise! Fish and Chips for Maria.

shadowmeboy · October 29, 2022

While we were eating, the announcement stating staterooms were ready was made.

Here is our lovely Oceanview for the week. We were just fine with this stateroom.

Bathroom

This bathroom was better than the Jewel Class ships. Although, I like the showers on the Breakaway Class ships better.

Here is what it looked like before we messed it up!

shadowmeboy · October 29, 2022

Spirit%20Day%201%2007061024_1-L.jpg

Day 1 Daily

Spirit%20Day%201%2007061024_2-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%201%2007061024_3-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%201%2007061024_4-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%201%2007061024_5-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%201%2007061024_6-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%201%2007061024_7-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%201%2007061024_8-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%201%2007061024_9-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%201%2007061024_10-L.jpg

There we go! That looks better!

We got several comments on our door decorations over the cruise.

Midship Elevators

Atrium - The Atrium felt tight any time a function was occurring in the Atrium. CruiseNext and ShoreEx are behind me.

We headed outside to the Great Outdoors. I set up and started taking photos. Geez Matthew, really?

There she is! My beautiful Bride of 15 years! 15th cruise together!

Pano 1

Pano 2

Time to forklift the lines!

Bon Voyage Seattle! See you in a week!

Max's M wanted a Seattle Sailaway photo!

Kitsap Fast Ferry heading for Bremerton.

Look who joined us for Sailaway!

shadowmeboy · October 29, 2022

Pier%2066-L.jpg

Pier 66 as we pulled away!

An Argosy Harbor Cruise is following us.

Space Needle with the Olympic Sculpture Park along the water.

Look at at that friendly wave!

Look at that not so friendly wave from @tgloersen

Enjoying Sailaway!

Washington State Ferry from Bainbridge Island.

Looking at Magnolia Hill and Smith Cove

Queen Anne Hill

Love this time to hang with our friends!

I am #1 in Trace's book!

Ah! Love me a Strawberry Daquiri!

cheers!

shadowmeboy · October 29, 2022

Rounding the corner out of Elliott Bay.

Draw a line along the sailboats and that is roughly the entrance to the Ballard Locks is.

Shilshole Marina

Washington State Ferries on the Edmonds - Kingston Ferry route

Edmonds and the Edmonds Ferry Dock

Bluffs of Whidbey Island

Bush Point and the Bush Point Lighthouse

Lagoon Point

Here is my Sailaway Time-lapse!

--

shadowmeboy · October 29, 2022

I would have stayed out longer, but it started to get rainy and blow under the cover of the upper deck (deck 13) and my GoPro ran out of battery. So I packed up and we wandered the ship to explore a bit.

Pool Deck Deck 12 Mid - the Bier Garden is up a deck, on 13, under that canopy.

I did not spend much time on the Pool deck, the weather was never really warm enough to constitute it. So I do not know if they opened this food buffet here at all.

Exercise Room Deck 12 Forward

Spinnaker Lounge - Deck 12 Forward

Mandara Spa - Deck 12 Forward

After exploring it was back to the room to get ready for dinner.

Look what arrived! Our Latitudes Strawberries!

After getting ready, we had a little bit of time before our dinner reservation, so we headed up to deck 8. Here are Tradewinds shops, still closed due to being too close to Washington State.

The other side of Deck 8 Mid, and also looking down on Deck 7 from 8 in the Atrium. Shorex is on the left and CruiseNext is on the right.

Magnums Champagne and Wine Bar - Deck 8 Mid

Hallway leading to the Photo Gallery (Deck 8 Mid to Forward) - Half of the Art is displayed on the wall to the right, the other half in a small room port of the Photo Gallery. We headed to the Photo Gallery to check in on our photo package and to pick up the small extra stuff from that package. Plus we always seem to run into a photographer, who has sailed with us before. This ship was no exception, because John from our Breakaway cruise in April had just transferred to the Spirit. He was excited to see us. We found out that there were only like 6 to 7 photo packages bought precruise. I guess we will be easily winning the most photo taken award for this cruise! On the Breakaway, we had taken close to 100 more pictures than the next closest photo package amount.

shadowmeboy · October 29, 2022

Time for Dinner with Trace & Maria at Cagney's - Deck 7 Mid

Don't we look good!

Black Tiger Shrimp Trio aka Shrimp Cocktail - Susan and I both got one

Lobster Bisque

I did not get a picture of Maria's Baked onion Soup

Susan got the Petite Filet Minion along with Maria

Trace got the 20 Oz porterhouse

I did it! I got my Tomahawk! First time since 2016! Now that is a steak!

Susan got 7 layer Chocolate Cake

I got the Raspberry Crème Brulee

Trace got the "OMG" Butterscotch-Caramel Cheesecake

Maria got the Raspberry Crème Brulee

Sailing through the Strait of Juan de Fuca heading out to the Pacific Ocean

Deck 7 Mid Starboard

We all decided to chill out in our staterooms. We were all tired and full. Bed came early that night!

--

drumming cruisers · October 29, 2022

Great pictures! WOW! That is a steak! have never seen that in all my years cruising on NCL.

shadowmeboy · October 31, 2022

Thursday, July 7th, 2022 - Cruise Day 2

Spirit%20Day%202%2007071024_1-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%202%2007071024_2-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%202%2007071024_3-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%202%2007071024_4-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%202%2007071024_5-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%202%2007071024_6-L.jpg

I am an early riser for work, and it never fails on vacation I am being woken up early. So I always head out to a deck and enjoy the quiet and peacefulness the morning brings!

So at this point, we are almost to the top of Vancouver Island several miles off shore.

The temperature wasn't too cold or too warm. It was sure quiet on deck.

After taking a look outside, I decided to be a little nosey.

Theater Entrance on Deck 7

It was weird seeing the Theater opposite of most theaters. Strange walking in right at the stage.

I then headed up to Deck 12

Onda Italian Restaurant - Deck 12 Port Aft

On the other side of Deck 12 is the Buffet.

I don't mind the buffet when its like this. This was taken before 6 am when the buffet opens for hot food for breakfast.

The buffet runs the entire length of Deck 12 Starboard from Mid to Aft and halfway on the Port side towards Mid Ship.

Starboard Side near the Aft Elevators

Looking Aft

Looking Port

Looking Forward

Looking Port

Looking Aft

looking Port

Looking Starboard

Looking Starboard from the Port side of the Buffet

Port Side of the buffet

shadowmeboy · October 31, 2022

I finally headed out to the Great Outdoors, aka my spot!

Outdoor beverage station - this comes in handy, because I can leave my camera gear set up and I can still see it from here if I need to get Coffee, Juice, or Hot Water.

I would always set up near the slanted park of the wall is. Under cover, but still open enough to see.

Looking Down on Deck 11 and 10

Deck 12

Deck 11

Spice H2O

Deck 10 - Never saw this bar open

Looking up at Decks 11, 12, and 13

shadowmeboy · October 31, 2022

Found a dry table and chair on Deck 12

Looking East

Looking West

Looking South

International Container Ship

Sea Otter

Panorama

shadowmeboy · October 31, 2022

Susan finally rolled out of bed and we headed to breakfast at Windows.

Susan got the Yogurt Parfait

I got a half grapefruit.

Assorted pastries

I tried the Pretzel Roll Sandwich. I was super excited when I saw the hashbrowns they had. I hated the ones on the Breakaway.

Susan got an omelet

After breakfast we went exploring.

The Local - Deck 7 Mid to Forward Starboard

Casino - Deck 7 forward

The main floor is nonsmoking; If you want to smoke while playing, the upper section on Deck 8 allows it.

Atrium, looking up, from Deck 8

Wait for me Susan!

--

TSUmom · October 31, 2022

I am enjoying all of the pictures! I don't know if I am the only one who gets that Happy feeling when I see people boarding the ship...it is like I am reliving the boarding process and the excitement I feel at the very moment I step onboard.....

shadowmeboy · November 1, 2022

Deck 8 Starboard Mid

Teppanyaki - Deck 8 Mid

Asian Restaurant - Deck 8 Mid

Deck 8 Aft Starboard

Theater - Deck 8

Different camera shot

Trace sent me a picture of the Suite Menu

shadowmeboy · November 1, 2022

We headed up to Trace & Maria's cabin to hang out and play cards.

The Butler brought drinks!

After playing cards for a while, it was time for lunch. While it was sunny, it wasn't that warm out.

A few people in the pool.

Lunchtime in the MDR!

shadowmeboy · November 1, 2022

Italian Wedding Soup

Bay Scallop Gratin - This is one of my favorites. Make sure to ask for more bread, they never give you enough.

Spinach Caesar

Chicken Flautas

Queso Frito Tortilla Bowl

Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara with a chicken breast from the Chicken Milanese

Chicken Milanese

Chocolate Cheesecake

Tiramisu

Warm Chocolate Lava Cake

When we got back to the room after lunch, our laundry bag that we gave the night before was already back! The red bag on the bed is the Spirit ship model we picked up.

We are up near the Queen Charlotte Islands by now

--

Sweetnspicy · November 1, 2022

I’m enjoying your review(like always) but I wish I would have known your were coming to Bremerton! I live about 10 minutes from the Bremerton ferry. If I walk around the corner from my house I can see the ferry passing through the inlet.

Fun fact about the fountains by the shipyard, during Covid shutdown they completely renovated and added filtration systems. People prior to the shut down would let kids play in the water when it was hot (no one has A/C on this side of the water) and all the people in the water kept clogging up the water system. Yuck! 🤢

shadowmeboy · November 2, 2022

13 hours ago, Sweetnspicy said:

I’m enjoying your review(like always) but I wish I would have known your were coming to Bremerton! I live about 10 minutes from the Bremerton ferry. If I walk around the corner from my house I can see the ferry passing through the inlet.

Fun fact about the fountains by the shipyard, during Covid shutdown they completely renovated and added filtration systems. People prior to the shut down would let kids play in the water when it was hot (no one has A/C on this side of the water) and all the people in the water kept clogging up the water system. Yuck! 🤢

Thank you. Sorry, we planned it, but didn't know exactly when we would get there. I didn't know how long NW Trek and the drive to Bremerton would take.

That is interesting about the fountains. We really enjoyed sitting down there and relaxing while we waited for the Ferry!

shadowmeboy · November 2, 2022

The Social Comedy Club - Deck 7 Forward

A note about the Social Comedy Club on the Spirit. It is really popular. Come at least 20 minutes early to snag a good seat. There is a mad rush here after the show gets out at the theater.

It was time for the Latitudes Silver and above party!

Maria wanted in on the selfie action!

Cruise Director Carlos

CruiseNext Manager

After the Latitudes party, we headed to the Beir Garten on Deck 13 Forward. We were going to do a meet up with the Facebook group. We could never find anyone. There was no Cruise Critic M&G. i was going to do the one on the Sun but we flipped ships too close to sailing to organize one for the Spirit.

It was a bit chilly up there.

Time for photos!

shadowmeboy · November 2, 2022

After photos, we headed to dinner with Trace & Maria at Onda

Trace got a Margarita Pizza for his appetizer. We could of shared it as a table. Wait, we did.

I got the Beef Carpaccio - It was good, but tiny.

Susan got the Fritto Misto - This was a massive plate much like the pizza.

Susan got the Pappardelle Bolognese

Maria got the Scottish Salmon

Trace got the Ravioli

I got the Tuna - this compared to the other dishes was tiny again. If it wasn't for Trace's Pizza I would have left Onda hungry. I dislike the lack of consistency between dishes in terms of size for price. I will not make Onda a priority when it comes to Specialty Dining. I would rather take La Cucina any day.

Dessert Menu

Trace and Maria both got the Butterscotch Budino

Susan got Tiramisu.

I got the cheesecake but the photo went missing.

So we went to go to the show, but we got there too late to get seats. Susan was able to get a single seat front row center.

Al Park was the comedian tonight.

Susan said the show was good. I was at the craps table with Trace since we didn't get a seat.

After the show, we all called it a night.

--

shadowmeboy · November 2, 2022

Friday, July 8th, 2022 - Cruise Day 3 - Icy Strait Point, Hoonah, AK

Here is the daily

Spirit%20Day%203%2007081024_1-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%203%2007081024_2-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%203%2007081024_3-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%203%2007081024_4-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%203%2007081024_5-L.jpg

Spirit%20Day%203%2007081024_6-L.jpg

Good Morning Alaska! We finally were in Alaskan waters as we sailed up the inside passage towards Juneau and Icy Strait Point. Juneau and icy Strait Point are not that far away from each other.