Just back from Spirit 4/9/06

[hersheycat]

Hi Everyone,

Just got back from our Spirit cruise. I will post a review after doing my laundrey and grocery shopping. But I wanted to say what a wonderful time we had. This ship is absolutely beautiful. And to the person who inquired about a balcony cabin on deck 11....I don't remember who you were.....we were in 11118 and our location was prime. Just downstairs from Raffles and just upstairs from Kids Crew. Very little noise and sleeping conditions were excellent.

 

More later.

[andsail]

Glad You Enjoyed Your Vacation. How Were Your Dining Experiences? Raffles, Cagney's, Room Service And So On ? Also, Did You Enjoy The Ports Of Call? I Will Be Leaving On 5/14/06 Mother's Day So I'm Getting Really Anxious Now.

[Lotteryfan]

Hi Everyone,

Just got back from our Spirit cruise. I will post a review after doing my laundrey and grocery shopping. But I wanted to say what a wonderful time we had. This ship is absolutely beautiful. And to the person who inquired about a balcony cabin on deck 11....I don't remember who you were.....we were in 11118 and our location was prime. Just downstairs from Raffles and just upstairs from Kids Crew. Very little noise and sleeping conditions were excellent.

 

More later.

 

Hershey Cat, my wife and I was suppose to be in 11118 the week before when we left on the Spirit on April 2nd. However, we ended up in 11020 when the rates came down. Glad the room was good for you. 111020 had a lot of noise upstairs despite the internet room being above us. We should have stayed in 11118.

[Lunchlady]

We did the Dawn last April, like you and yours. This year the Dawn's intin was to long so we didn't book. But next spring break we will be on a cruise. Is the Spirit much different than the Dawn other than size.

[hersheycat]

Embarkation....very easy. We arrived early at the pier aprox 10:30 and boarding started at 11:45. We were enjoying a leisurely lunch at Windows by 12:30. Then I unpacked my family in our 2 cabins (balcony on 11 and an inside across the hall)....then I took off on my own to explore the beautiful ship. I found "the Dragon" immediately. Last year when we sailed on the Dawn we didn't board until 3:30 because the Dawn was late returning from the previous sailing. This time the extra time on the ship gave me the feeling of a whole extra day. We booked Teppanyaki and Le Bistro as soon as we got on the ship. Do it right away. Alot of people had trouble getting reservations after a couple of days. Le Bistro was 1/2 price for the early seatings on the first night, and we took advantage of it. It was my favorite meal of the week.

 

We had our CC meet and greet Monday morning. We had a small but very friendly group, who I loved seeing around the ship. The captain stopped by to say hi, but it was fuuny that he didn't tell us who he was and if a couple of CCers hadn't looked at his ID tag, we never would have known who it was. So a huge hi to MaryAnne, Bryan, Rich, and Lisa!!!!!!!

 

The martini clinic was that same day. What a BLAST!!!!!! It was at 2:00. We had 8 4 oz martinis in an hour. I had a headache the next morning. We went to Teppanyaki that night and had a very fun dinner. The chef even replayed some of his tricks when I forgot to take the lense cap off my camera. Another wonderful meal. Book early. There's only 10 seats, 3 sittings a night. So that's 210 people out of 2500 that can eat there.

My older son turned into a bat on this trip. He loved his private cabin, since his little brother was only there to sleep. He hardly ever came out during the day except to run to Raffles for food to bring back to his cabin. But at night, he went out with teens he met and enjoyed some teenage night life. He did utilize the basketball court and the hot tubs on occasion during the day. And he swears he had a great time. My 8 year old became fixated with the arcade....kind of like a heroin addict. I'll never forget his glazed eyes. But he LOVED Kids Crew and demanded to be there whenever it was open.

 

Since we did this itinerary last year, we decided to stay on the ship at Port Canveral. Good move, since this sold out trip had 900 kids on it, it was a great opportunity for little DS to use the kids pool area and I could get some good video footage. I also played scrabble with my kids that day in the card room, and big mistake.....they hounded me to play scrabble constantly the rest of the cruise. It's not that I dont' want to play with my kids, but we were on a cruise and scrabble is something we could do at home anytime.

 

Miami........Swam with the Dolphins at Miami Seaquarium. Most amazing thing and I experienced some PURE JOY during this excursion. Otherwise the Seaquarium is VERY SMALL and I wouldn't have wanted to do it on it's own.

 

Private Island....Never made it there.....winds were too rough to tender, so we went to Nassau by 11:00 am and stayed until 1:00 pm next day. Last year, The Dawn went to GSC and skipped Nassau, so I consider it a draw. But the extra time there was great. We originally planned to just walk around the straw market, but additionally we took a taxi to Atlantis to look around. Then we booked the See and Sea excursion for the next day. That was a really nice time and I felt worth the money.

 

 

Friday was Lobster night, but it was also DH's birthday. We wanted to eat in a specialty resataurant and took advantage of Shogun's early seating 1/2 price special. I delivered a gift for DH early to them and at the end of the meal, they made a very creative presentation. DH thought he was getting a free cruise. But he was just as happy with his watch. That evening we went to the adult only improv show at Galaxy of the stars. I spoke to the comedians before the show and they kindly made DH a part of there routine to his suprise. It was really his best birthday ever.

 

The last day at sea was just soooo sad. I really didn't want it to end. Margarita clinic that day too. Just as good as the martini clinic.

 

We used express debarkation and we were off the ship and at our car very quickly. Home by 11:00.

 

Random comments:

I agree with every posting about the menus. Not appealling. I planned to go the a dining room every night, but after looking at the menus, we just went to Raffles. Raffles had weird food too, but they had a made to order pasta station and made to order stir fry station every night. Breakfast at Raffles was fine too. And I made due without trays. I got my food and stopped for a drink on the way to a table. Two hands....one for plate and one for glass.

 

Didnt' play bingo....big rip off. But did use the casino. I didn't win but I lost only what I planned to nad had a great time doing it.

 

NCL Productions showas seemed like a high school production, but the feature guest shows were very good. ANd the crew talent show was the best show of the trip.

 

Room service was good. Delivered 2 pots of coffee every morning. I drank coffee waiting for my family to wake up, then we would go to raffles for breakfast,,,after breakfast there was piping hot coffee still waiting for me in my cabin.

 

Tip: I missed lobster night because we went to Shogun at 5:30....but at 9:45 I went to Windows and got 3 lobster tails on a plate with drawn butter to go. And I ate it at Galaxy of the Stars while waiting for the improv show. Great snack. So apparantly you can get take out from the main restaurants.

 

I read some comments about Julie the cruise director on these boards. I found her to be very nice and professional and I think she did her job. But I think people were comparing her to other cruise directors and I don't think that's fair. She's not funny like Collin or Paul, but she's competent at her job. No problem with her at all.

 

I probably left alot out, so please ask. I'll answer any questions that I can.

 

As far as comparing The Spirit to The Dawn.....apples to oranges. Two different ships. Better entertainment on The Dawn....I hear the food stinks fleet wide now, although last year it was better on the Dawn, and personally I was on The "Rogue Wave" cruise on The Dawn, so this vacation was soooo much better.

 

Ask away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hersheycat]

Hershey Cat, my wife and I was suppose to be in 11118 the week before when we left on the Spirit on April 2nd. However, we ended up in 11020 when the rates came down. Glad the room was good for you. 111020 had a lot of noise upstairs despite the internet room being above us. We should have stayed in 11118.

 

Galaxy of The Stars is right next to the internet room I would imagine your noise came the night life up there.

[hersheycat]

How Were Your Dining Experiences? Raffles, Cagney's, Room Service And So On ? Also, Did You Enjoy The Ports Of Call? I Will Be Leaving On 5/14/06 Mother's Day So I'm Getting Really Anxious Now.

No matter what you've heard.....and the food choices can be strange....you will not go hungry!!!!!!

 

If you are in raffles, and you don't likek the buffet choices, they have some made to order stations.....try them. Room service.....very good...get the chocolate moose.....The ports of call were not important to me, I just wanted to go on a cruise, but that we wound up in Nassau for over a full day, I found that I enjoyed it much more than I expected.

[kids1stcruise]

you mentioned your older son---how old is he?

my son will be 13 when we cruise.

did ds go to teen club--or tooo0 CHILDISH FOR HIM?

[hersheycat]

you mentioned your older son---how old is he?

my son will be 13 when we cruise.

did ds go to teen club--or tooo0 CHILDISH FOR HIM?

 

15....there were lots of teens enjoying the teen club....in fact there were a few 13 year olds on the elevator looking for weird things for a scavenger hunt they were doing and they were having alot of fun. Your son should be fine. Just try to get him to go for the first two days so he'll make some friends right away.

 

DS likes to hole up in his room likethat at home too, so he felt very comfortable onThe Spirit. But he did go to the teen activities at night.

[Glamourgal]

Thanks for posting a review!! I am happy to hear that you had a great cruise!! I can't wait. I cannot believe that ours is a little over 6 weeks to go!! (We booked almost a year ago!!).

 

I do have a question in regard to the Lobster meal. Do you know if you can substitute the aspargus quiche for a baked potato or other veggie? I did look over the menus from kathas2boys and they do look interesting!! I'm sure we'll find something we will enjoy!!

[hersheycat]

Thanks for posting a review!! I am happy to hear that you had a great cruise!! I can't wait. I cannot believe that ours is a little over 6 weeks to go!! (We booked almost a year ago!!).

 

I do have a question in regard to the Lobster meal. Do you know if you can substitute the aspargus quiche for a baked potato or other veggie? I did look over the menus from kathas2boys and they do look interesting!! I'm sure we'll find something we will enjoy!!

 

The wait staff will accomodate any reasonable requests!!!! So I'm sure you can. They served me 3 lobster tails with butter on one plate with no sides to go.

[SueSun]

Caren,

 

Great review and great info on different ports. I am sailing next week with our two boys (14 & 16) and have done the same, DH and I have balcony and boys are right across hall...how did you arrange cabin keys? Can you program both cabins on the same sign/sail card?

 

Best hint provided for Sue from Caren: LOBSTA TO GO!!!!:D

[hersheycat]

Caren,

 

Great review and great info on different ports. I am sailing next week with our two boys (14 & 16) and have done the same, DH and I have balcony and boys are right across hall...how did you arrange cabin keys? Can you program both cabins on the same sign/sail card?

 

Best hint provided for Sue from Caren: LOBSTA TO GO!!!!:D

 

The cabin arrangements were superb!!!! It will work out great for you. My younger son (8) would go to bed by 10 or 11. I had to sleep in teenage son's bed until he would get in, then sleep walk across the hall to my own bed. Lucky you....2 teens...you can start out in your own bed every nite.

 

 

As soon as you board the ship, go to reception. I had them remove ALL charging priveledges from both boy's cards. Didn't want any suprises on my bill at the end of the cruise. Then I had them link both cabins so that all charges (including service charges) were on my cabin bill. DH was officailly registered in the inside. You can get as many "door key only" cards as you need so ask for them at the same time. We used lanyards and had reception punch holes in the cards. So I had 2 keys around my neck at all times. DH had 2. Teen DS had his own. He didn't need ours. Little DS had balcony key only as he was only allowed in inside when his brother was present. Otherwise he was with us or in Kids' Crew.

 

"Lobsta to go" was my best thinking of the entire week!!!!!!!

[SueSun]

I am still out on the :Lucky you, two teens" thing ;) . It will only take one infraction for either of them to get "upgraded" to the balcony cabin couch/floor w/ mom & dad!!!:)

 

I do think they will be fine and DH and I are looking forward to enjoying our own cabin. Thanks for the key info. Can't wait for next Sunday.

 

Sue

[mimi41385]

SueSun,

What part of NH are you in? I have friends from NH that will also be on the Spirit next week.

[WaldosPepper]

Viv - just wanted to say I love your "Dispatch Center"! ;)

[ErinsMommy]

Hey Hersheycat,

 

How would you rate the Spirit vs the Dawn?

 

I was on the Dawn last Oct and are deciding between the Sprit and the Dawn this year?

 

Thanks

 

Chrissy

[mimi41385]

Thanx Pepper:D

[jeannep]

Caren,

 

Thanks for the review. I can't get enough news on the Spirit.

It sounds like you had a great time.

 

Jeanne

[hersheycat]

Hey Hersheycat,

 

How would you rate the Spirit vs the Dawn?

 

I was on the Dawn last Oct and are deciding between the Sprit and the Dawn this year?

 

Thanks

 

Chrissy

 

They are two completely different ships. The Dawn is bigger. The Dawn's entertainment was better. I thought The Spirit was more beautiful, but I think that's just a matter of personal preference.

 

I enjoyed my experience on The Spirit more than The Dawn, but I was on the "Rogue Wave" cruise, and alot of things went wrong that week. Who knows, if that cruise had gone smoothly like this one had, I might have a different preference.

 

I would cruise again on both ships. I don't think you can make a bad choice. I probably would choose based on the itinerary.

 

Happy planning. Happy sailing.

[SueSun]

SueSun,

What part of NH are you in? I have friends from NH that will also be on the Spirit next week.

 

I am right outside of Keene. I am the one that was LOL at one of your posts of SUVs on roofs and driving in snowstorms and decided to not go the the "Peak" that day much to the dismay of my kids!! :eek: I am assuming from your ICON you are in Hillsborough.

 

Just a few more days and we are outta here!!!! :) Where are your friends from? Are they going to attend the CC meeting on Monday???

[sweetpea-2]

well sounds like you had a great time....have not been on the Spirit but did just come back from the Dawn and LOVED it....we did meet a few couples that had been on both ships and they did prefer the Dawn mostly due to the rooms being larger on the Dawn and also the Dawn has frig's in the cabins and also they thought that the ventilation system was better on the Dawn....they are non-smokers and had more trouble with that issue.......... glad you had a great time ..............

[electricron]

Nice review of the Spirit.

 

The :eek: DRAGON :eek: must have given you some luck.

 

Did you take any photos?

 

As for Dawn vs Spirit comments, why?

You can have great vacations and cruises on either ship.

 

Don't pick the ships, pick the itineraries.

 

Eventually if this keeps up, NCL will have to place identical sister ships, without any diversity, into New York City.

 

Bigger doesn't always mean better.

[hersheycat]

Did you take any photos?

I took well over 100 photos and and one of the dragon, but I'm not that comfortable posting them on the internet, although I did really appreciate viewing everyone else's who posted theirs. Thank you all for that!

 

As for Dawn vs Spirit comments, why?

You can have great vacations and cruises on either ship.

 

Don't pick the ships, pick the itineraries.

 

I believe that I said I would pick next based on the itinerary. I enjoyed the Spirit alot, and would have enjoyed The Dawn more had we not encountered so many problems on our particular cruise. I would cruise either ship again in a heartbeat. The ships are different,so I don't know why everyone is trying to compare them, Different is different...not better or worse. And cruises on the same ship can be very different from one week to the next. Things happen.

 

 

 

Electron, I would be happy to email some of my photos to you, jst provide your email address.

[electricron]

My earlier reply wasn't specifically aimed at you. It was in response to other responders. :o

 

I agree with you, they are different ships, and both have advantages that the other doesn't. But I am getting sick of those who continously compare the two. Most comparisons stating that the Dawn is better because it is larger only hurts the bookings on the Spirit. Golly, it appears many would prefer to have just one NCL ship sailing from New York? :rolleyes:

 

They ought to be thankful they have two fairly large modern Freestyle ships. Shucks, all Houston gets are NCL re-threads, ships in their last years cruising for NCL. Last year we had the Sea, this year the Dream. Neither were built for Freestyle Cruising, nor modified with Freestyle Cruising in mind. We only had the Sun for a just few months. I was in heaven sailing on a modern, designed for Freestyle Cruising, ship. Next year, it will not even show up in Houston. :(

 

Now, if Yankees are going to continue pan the Spirit, give them a ship that deserves paning. Texans will be very happy to take the Spirit off your hands. ;)