Spirit Review

[joolsb]

I have just posted a review of our cruise on Spirit from Singapore to Dubai in April, if anyone is interested! Of course, now that I read it through again there are so many things I haven't mentioned! If anyone has any questions, please ask!

 

J

[thulewx]

Thanks!

I think the last sentence summed up the "post-cruise-blues" perfectly...

 

I even had to open a door by myself!

[TLCOhio]

I have just posted a review of our cruise on Spirit from Singapore to Dubai in April, if anyone is interested! Of course, now that I read it through again there are so many things I haven't mentioned! If anyone has any questions, please ask!

 

J

 

Was interested in reading the review. We sail June 17-24 from Athens on the Spirit going to the Greek Isles, Turkish Coast and then finishing in Istanbul. Would love to hear more on the staff, special highlights, other tips and suggestions. This is our FIRST CRUISE ever and want to maximize the enjoyment. Tell us more! Thanks. TLC in Ohio

[joolsb]

Hi TLC

 

Your first cruise? Wow - what a start!!

 

Tips and highlights: take everything that's coming to you, and enjoy every moment of it! You'll find everyone so friendly - staff and passengers alike - no one will ever pass you by without saying hello, and of course very quickly you'll find that the staff will know you by name, especially if you make an effort with them too. Enjoy being greeted by the Maitre d' at dinner and then escorted to your table by one of the waiters; bite the bullet and decide to "open" a table - and you will get a chance to meet a variety of your fellow passengers. Don't be too alarmed when someone takes your food from you at the buffet in the Verandah (and they will be very insistent!) and escorts you back to your table (opening the door for you too, if you are sitting outside). Please say hello to Donna - she brightened up every morning for us, and was a breath of fresh air!

 

What you will find amazing is the enthusiasm and unbounded energy of the staff who day after day have a smile on their faces and a friendly word for everyone; I kept trying to spot one having an off day, and it never happened!

 

Do make sure you have at least one breakfast/dinner (whatever!) in your suite. Watching your coffee table be transformed in minutes into a beautifully laid dining table complete with white linen and silver is wonderful; every time the waiter left us to our food and closed the door behind him we looked at each other and grinned, because it felt so special!

 

Do go to the demonstration on how to make the breadsticks; I missed this and now am having major withdrawal symptoms with no cure in sight!

 

Do go shopping with the chef, if you have the chance. We did this in Mumbai, and although there was no way he was going to buy anything in the markets we visited (hygiene was a problem!), we did get a great "free" tour and saw places we wouldn't have on a regular excursion.

 

Don't feel you have to accept every invitation to dinner; the host will not be personally offended if you decline. However do use these invitations as a good way to meet a large number of your fellow passengers; no matter how diverse the mix of passengers may at first appear, you will be surprised how the conversation flows. On many evenings we were among the last to leave the restaurant - and only did so because there was a show about to start.

 

Don't worry too much about dress code during the day; we found everyone very informal (especially those of us who spent a lot of time on deck, at the Sky Bar etc) although I think those who spent a lot of time indoors (playing bridge and trivia, attending lectures and so forth) were possibly a bit smarter than the shorts and swimsuit brigade up top! In the evening everyone stuck to the code - although I have to say I was a little disappointed that so few of the ladies really "went to town" on the formal nights; everyone was beautifully dressed, but there was little to differentiate between a "smart" night and a "formal" night.

 

If I think of anything else, I'll post again. Hope this helps!

 

J

[blackbird71]

First Thanks for the good review.

 

 

Don't feel you have to accept every invitation to dinner; the host will not be personally offended if you decline.

 

Myself I probably will not do the hosted tables, but just join a group. One of the reasons I like open seating is meeting different ppl every night and I have a feeling the hosted tables will be the same ppl every night.

 

In the evening everyone stuck to the code - although I have to say I was a little disappointed that so few of the ladies really "went to town" on the formal nights; everyone was beautifully dressed, but there was little to differentiate between a "smart" night and a "formal" night.

 

One of the bummers on my short Silverseas was the lack of dress up. On the formal night on 10% of the men wore tuxs. I did. On informal nights only 5% of the men wore ties. Again I was in the 5%.

[JaneBP]

>"Myself I probably will not do the hosted tables, but just join a group. One of the reasons I like open seating is meeting different ppl every night and I have a feeling the hosted tables will be the same ppl every night."

 

It's not the same people; every night there are several hosted tables and I always meet new people. Obviously, on a crossing, for example, you might dine with someone a second time, but it's not repetetive. The cruise staff sees to that.

[TLCOhio]

Great insights, comments and suggestions. Look forward to get more before we leave in mid June. These are great boards and info. THANKS!!! TLC in Ohio

[joolsb]

Hi Blackbird - I would have agree with Jane - we accepted probably 5 or 6 invitations to dinner and never once dined with the same people - its a great way to meet people you might otherwise not get a chance to.

 

As far the "tux" situation - probably about 80% of the men were in tux on formal nights - the remainder were in jacket, since they had obviously decided to dine in the Verandah. Never saw anyone in the Restaurant on formal night not properly attired.

 

J

[blackbird71]

Hi Blackbird - I would have agree with Jane - we accepted probably 5 or 6 invitations to dinner and never once dined with the same people - its a great way to meet people you might otherwise not get a chance to.

 

I have to think about this. I have only been on RSSC (12 day) and Silverseas(4 day) with open seating. And of those days only once did I eat alone because I thought I may be FORCED to go back for seconds. :D

I joined a group every night and LOL except for the Opera lecturer from Hell really enjoyed them. I just do not want to be stuck seating with singles all the time.

 

As far the "tux" situation - probably about 80% of the men were in tux on formal nights - the remainder were in jacket, since they had obviously decided to dine in the Verandah. Never saw anyone in the Restaurant on formal night not properly attired.

 

J

 

You would have had to see the guy on Silverseas on formal night with sports coat no tie, loafers no socks.... :eek:

[Host Dan]

Heres a link to Joolsb's review! http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=18045

 

Host Dan

[GrannyLorr]

Just read joolsb's review....oh the memories. What a sad day this is.......as to Dinner invitations...we accepted most of them, there was one night we had already made other arrangements with "new" friends...and one night I wasnt feeling too good with the rotten "bug" that was going around....(should mention, I still have it.....for the second time....cant seem to throw it...will take "drugs" with me on my next cruise.)so they were the only times we refused invitations. We dined with lots of different people. a great way to meet new people. Only had the one night we regretted and it wasnt the "host" or the majority of diners to blame..just one obnoxious Australian who ruined the night for a lot of people...including poor Donna....one of the best in the Crew. One invitation we werent sure of was from the Head Housekeeper....we were so glad we accepted in the end, as it was a lovely night, and she even invited us to dine in the crew quarters with her one night, which we would have loved to do....but sadly ran out of time.....

Another night we dined with the Hotel Manager, Vitor....at the end of the night he said "Goodnight Granny"....guess who reads these boards????

[sue marco]

Another night we dined with the Hotel Manager, Vitor....at the end of the night he said "Goodnight Granny"....guess who reads these boards????

 

Granny - how interesting. I was going to say that maybe if we write nice things we would get preferential treatment - but how can it be preferential when it's perfect already!

By the way I was looking for you on the Singapore/Dubai segment - as was another lady who doesn't post but just "lurks" on these boards (come on "A" get posting!) - and we kept comparing notes and saying have you found Granny yet? In the end we both gave up after accosting several people with "are you Granny Lorr?" and getting some very strange looks. So you are still anonimous. But I read that you are doing S America in 08 and we are doing at least part of it. So far Jeff has booked Buenos Aires to Maneus and I am gradually working him over with constant little suggestions about think how much cheaper it would be just to stay on to Ft. Lauderdale with all those expensive air fares and hotels (and who actually wants to fly out of the middle of the Amazon) - so far I would say that it is 50/50 but I have nearly two years to work on him and I am taking the patiently persuasive route!;) We shall see and welcome back to the real world after heavenly Seabourn. Sue.

[GrannyLorr]

Hi Sue, what a shame you couldnt find me......Two4Sea didnt have any trouble finding me!! We just sat at an open table one night, introduced ourselves around and Two4Sea sid "hello Granny"...Im not sure how they figured it was me...Vitor told me he had "done some investigating" to know who I was........I think I know who his spy was......elroha?

Anyway, I was the one with the Aussie accent! No....not that obnoxious one!

[blackbird71]

..Im not sure how they figured it was me...!

 

Probably from the pictures of your DH you posted on your journal. :)

 

Myself, I was outed on the Silver Whisper four day cruise on the second time I ate with two guys from California. One turned to me and said Hi Blackbird. :eek:

[Two4Sea]

Actually John was farther along the table that night and the pre trip pictures mainly showed his aft view. My little memory aid for names is to tick them off on the passenger list, then they stick. I had looked ahead for a Lorraine from near Brisbane, that with your place card kind of improved my odds!

 

Glad to read of your great trip. We enjoyed chatting after dinner with you at the Skybar on our last night. The dramatic lightning storms we had seen in the Straights those last evenings returned later for each afternoon that we were in Singapore. We have gone ahead and booked to follow in your tracks next year, Hong Kong to Rome. I see you were sympathetic to another booking too. Sort of like candy to a kid, hard to resist isn't it. Beat the cold (I brought one home too) and have a good week in Singapore.

 

Bill

 

PS: A maitre d' on HAL investigated my name one trip, seems someone from England with my family name was a frequent customer. Well I wish I ranked that well in their records but Grampa left Liverpool 100 years ago and it wasn't as a first class passenger!