First Time On NCL Spirit...

[Rick&Jeannie]

We have over 20 cruises under our belts...only 2 with NCL.  We have our first booking on the Spirit for this April (South Pacific).  First time to this area of the world.  I know that the Spirit is supposedly the smallest ship in the NCL fleet...that somewhat appeals to me; the huge megaships just are NOT our cup of tea.  I know it underwent a HUGE retrofit here a while back...so it *should* be in very good physical shape.  That being said, what can we expect as far as the ship is concerned?  Any comments from anybody who has been on recently?  Service? Crew?  (We're in an OceanView w/Picture Window cabin)

 

 

Edited January 4 by Rick&Jeannie

[kjquilts]

There are a number of YouTube videos on the Spirit ..... here is a fairly short

tour of the Spirit done by Chris Frame that shows most of the ship

 

 

This video by Iconic Adventures is also very good

 

 

 

Several YouTube vloggers were on the Spirit Honolulu to Alaska cruise last year.

Stef (Sean & Stef), Ben & David and ParoDeeJay all posted a variety of videos.

We're on the Honolulu to Alaska cruise this year so have really enjoyed watching them.

 

 

Edited January 4 by kjquilts

[abuys]

Hi there. We just returned yesterday after being on the spirit to tour Australia and New Zealand. We are actually heading back to the ship in April for probably the same cruise you are booked on. We liked the ship, smaller which was fine by us but of course doesn’t have the slides, go carts etc. The refurbish was done well. The entertainment was really good. Food was good. 

[itsnotjustme]

21 minutes ago, abuys said:

We liked the ship, smaller which was fine by us but of course doesn’t have the slides, go carts etc. The refurbish was done well. The entertainment was really good. Food was good. 

Glad to hear this report.  We depart Sunday for Sydney for the 9 Feb Australia - New Zealand sailing.

 

We were on the Spirit years ago.  Smaller ship are OK with us also.

[CptBoatface]

Spirit was great in summer 2022

[yakcruiser]

On 1/4/2024 at 9:46 AM, Rick&Jeannie said:

We have over 20 cruises under our belts...only 2 with NCL.  We have our first booking on the Spirit for this April (South Pacific).  First time to this area of the world.  I know that the Spirit is supposedly the smallest ship in the NCL fleet...that somewhat appeals to me; the huge megaships just are NOT our cup of tea.  I know it underwent a HUGE retrofit here a while back...so it *should* be in very good physical shape.  That being said, what can we expect as far as the ship is concerned?  Any comments from anybody who has been on recently?  Service? Crew?  (We're in an OceanView w/Picture Window cabin)

 

 

I sailed on the Spirit in September of 22. I feel it had the friendliest crew of all the NCL ships. It seemed like it was a modern old ship if that makes sense. I hope it still is that way because I will be on her for 28 days next May.

[abuys]

On 1/31/2024 at 9:03 PM, itsnotjustme said:

Glad to hear this report.  We depart Sunday for Sydney for the 9 Feb Australia - New Zealand sailing.

 

We were on the Spirit years ago.  Smaller ship are OK with us also.

We probably did the same itinerary. We went Jan 16-28. We left from Sydney as well

[vidsmart]

We sailed Hawaii to Alaska in May. The refurbishment made it like new. Almost perfect except bathroom is tiny—that can’t be fixed by a refurbishment—and the buffet is the worst ever experienced. Tiny, which I understand, but the food and presentation was uninspired. As a result we ate lunch in the MDR almost daily. I think all my MDR lunches ever before Spirit, can be counted on one hand. 
MDR and specialty restaurant food was excellent as well as a couple of other complimentary options.

[dexddd]

6 hours ago, vidsmart said:

We sailed Hawaii to Alaska in May. The refurbishment made it like new. Almost perfect except bathroom is tiny—that can’t be fixed by a refurbishment—and the buffet is the worst ever experienced. Tiny, which I understand, but the food and presentation was uninspired. As a result we ate lunch in the MDR almost daily. I think all my MDR lunches ever before Spirit, can be counted on one hand. 
MDR and specialty restaurant food was excellent as well as a couple of other complimentary options.

If you think Spirt buffet is small, don't sail Sky or Sun.

 

Spirit buffet actually innovative for the time.  Pretty big, spread out for a ship at that time.  Things like action stations.

[CaptainBazz]

We have sailed on the Spirit twice...pre and post refurbishment. They did a fabulous job...it is like a new ship. We did the 16 night South Pacific last year...always lots to do and great entertainment. Food was great...made use of Cagney's, Le Bistro, Silk, Onda and The Local. Main dining was also very good. We found the Buffett to be fine, lots of choice...and the nice thing was you could take your food out to the back of the ship and eat outside. Magnums was a great bar for cocktails, with music on most nights...down to Henry's for Trivia then off to a show. Definitely one of our favourite ships.

[cruzbound]

We took our first NCL cruise this past September 2023 on the Spirit from Hawaii to the French Polynesia.  We really enjoyed it a ton. The food in the main dining room and Cagneys was excellent. Crew was great. The adult pool area was so wonderful at the back of the ship. 
 

We are going to the South Pacific in December but unfortunately for us it is not the Spirit. Wish it was in the Spirit. We are goin on the Sun. No adult pool. Bummer. Hope it is almost as good as our Spirit experience. 
 

Enjoy!