Hawaiian Cruise September/ October,2006

[chucklet]

While we got a smokin' good deal on the cruise package, the experience aboard the Spirit was less than expected. This was our fifth cruise, two aboard NCL and two aboard RCI, and our first with Carnival. We found many areas of the ship bordered on gaudy, and the pool waiters way pushy when it came to drinks. I realise they live for tips, but it became annoying.

The food in Lido was mediocre, but we enjoyed the Empire dining room and particularly the service and cameraderie with our headwaiter, Joey and his assistant U Pe. Dessy, the ass't maitre'd was gracious and always greeted us warmly.

 

The entertainment in Pharoah's palace was substandard, and, with due respect, the Cruise director Shaun, was a bit over the top and a real chatterbox with an annoying pitchy voice and drawl. Lloyd, one of the cruise staff, was the best of the bunch, but that is a stretch of a compliment.

 

One redeeming point was the Karaoke in the Versailles lounge. David was a great host and a very accomplished singer, and made us all feel welcome.

Bruce, the host in the Shanghai piano bar was great as well.

 

The tender process at our first port, Lahaina, was a gong show. You would think after the hundreds of times this shuttle is performed, they would figure out how to disburse the tender 'badges' with a bit better crowd control.

 

We had a balcony stateroom on the Panorama deck forward, and battled 12 - 18ft following seas for a day and a half out of Vancouver, leaving my wife bedridden battling mal-de-mer.

 

We DO love cruising, and are doing the Baltics next year, but NOT aboard Carnival. We are either back with NCL, or will try Celebrity.

[rvrgirl]

While we got a smokin' good deal on the cruise package, the experience aboard the Spirit was less than expected. This was our fifth cruise, two aboard NCL and two aboard RCI, and our first with Carnival. We found many areas of the ship bordered on gaudy, and the pool waiters way pushy when it came to drinks. I realise they live for tips, but it became annoying.

The food in Lido was mediocre, but we enjoyed the Empire dining room and particularly the service and cameraderie with our headwaiter, Joey and his assistant U Pe. Dessy, the ass't maitre'd was gracious and always greeted us warmly.

 

The entertainment in Pharoah's palace was substandard, and, with due respect, the Cruise director Shaun, was a bit over the top and a real chatterbox with an annoying pitchy voice and drawl. Lloyd, one of the cruise staff, was the best of the bunch, but that is a stretch of a compliment.

 

One redeeming point was the Karaoke in the Versailles lounge. David was a great host and a very accomplished singer, and made us all feel welcome.

Bruce, the host in the Shanghai piano bar was great as well.

 

The tender process at our first port, Lahaina, was a gong show. You would think after the hundreds of times this shuttle is performed, they would figure out how to disburse the tender 'badges' with a bit better crowd control.

 

We had a balcony stateroom on the Panorama deck forward, and battled 12 - 18ft following seas for a day and a half out of Vancouver, leaving my wife bedridden battling mal-de-mer.

 

We DO love cruising, and are doing the Baltics next year, but NOT aboard Carnival. We are either back with NCL, or will try Celebrity.

 

:confused: :confused: :confused: ....

[watzonii]

Wow, we were on the Spirit from Hawaii to Ensenada Oct 2nd thru 14th and loved it. The only problem we had was leaving the casino a little lighter most nights. Other than that it was a great cruise and we hope to cruise on the Spirit again. :)

[shebring02lx]

Hawaii is absolutly beautiful. My father was stationed there when we were younger. Its breath-taking

[MrPete]

I could have taken a tug to Hawaii to do a cruise there again. I would welcome the chance to do it on a Spirit class ship!

 

I opened this post to relive that experience, and found nothing to help me.

[rlkubi]

I too did the Hawaii to Enseneda cruise on the Spirit on 10/2 and loved it. We have now been on the Spirit 2 times and loved every minute. We will do the Spirit again sometime.

[winewanderer]

My husband and I did the Ensenada to Hawaii route on the Spirit in April 2005.

 

Gee, it was our favorite cruise so far. I loved everything about the Spirit and about Hawaii.

 

I would do this same trip again in a heartbeat.

[chucklet]

I guess it is all about perspective. The Spirit size vessel is the type of cruising we look for, around 2000 guests. We were in a group of 21, and most have cruised before. The general consensus was the Ship and it's various services were good, but not great. There was no WOW factor, as we have experienced on other cruises. I am not trying to sound arrogant or trite, but our expectations were met, not exceeded as we have experienced on other cruise lines.

 

For example, the Jean ann Ryan Dance troupe aboard NCL ships are a polished, entertaining experience and DRAW people to the theatre. The Carnival troupe had people leaving after 15 minutes.