11/30/06 Spirit 10 day Review

[girlbuffalo1]

My husband and I cruised the NCL Spirit out of New York 11/30 and returned 12/10. It was rather hectic getting out there as our flight was cancelled from Indianapolis and we then ended up getting on a flight leaving in 3 minutes and having to run to the gate with all of our luggage. Then we were in a holding pattern over detroit and then again over Laguardia. We made it on the ship with aroudn 15 minutes to spare before she left the pier! So a very stressful start indeed!

 

Ship: We have cruised the Spirit once before a couple of weeks after it came over from Asia from Star Cruises. That cruise was around 2 years ago and was out of Seattle to Alaska. I don't know how this ship compares to others in the current NCL line as the only other I have cruised was the grand (now scrapped) Norway. The other ships we have been on are the Navigator of the Seas (RCL) and the Century (Celebrity). I must say the Navigator still holds the place as the best ship I have been on (with much more for younger folks to do like ice skating and a rock wall) as compared to the Spirit. This doesn't mean I do not like the Spirit though as it is an easy to navigate ship and has some nice decor. It was extra creaky at night in rough waters and the cabin was sufficient and had good use of closet space. The dining rooms are nice although I think they could stand to be a bit larger (as there often was a wait if you didn't make a reservation). The specialty restaraunts are quaint and make you feel like you are in a small nice restaraunt. The cabin colors are tacky--but then again we don't go for that!

 

Food: Food overall was good. The buffet was very busy and crowded in the morning. The other guests were pushy and would cut in line. I loved on Celebrity someone would cary my tray--find me a spot and refil my juice. The dining room food was always good and portions were nice (not too big). I must say we loved Bistro and Teppanyaki at Shogun. At Bistro it is especially worth it if you go to an early seating and get half off. I personally think the chocolate mousse was worth the $7.50 alone! Teppanyaki was nice and the filet was superb (it is not available at a discount price). The chocolate buffet was to die for. It was amazing! The carribean buffet one evening was just fruit and cookies--hardly a buffet. Over all I don't really have much to complain about here except for the buffet--and that was mostly due to other guests.

 

Entertainment: We were lucky enough to see Second City and loved them (we love improv) and went to all 4 shows. We went to all of the other shows as well and they were fine. The male singers were especially amazing. Some of the comedy was a bit off but we still enjoyed it. One thing we would have liked is more music for younger folks (although I know that they have to cater to the main crowd). Maharini's club was a really nice place to hang out but they played mostly latin music it seemed (had one night of Rap). I would have liked this spot a lot better with better music. The bands were either old classics (like Sinatra and big band) or disco 70's ish music. We would have loved to see more of the carribean band however I think they only played outside and infrequently.

[girlbuffalo1]

Islands:

St. Thomas: We went to Coral World and it was pretty fun--but we are into learning about different things. There were some neat tanks where you could see things up close (like sharks, rays, turtles ect). We enjoyed our time and had just enough time on the tour to see everything.

 

Antigua: We didn't do a tour here. Took a cab to a close beach (same one as Sandals) cab was $12--make sure you have change--as I gave the cabbie a $20 on the way there (they are hard to understand here to make sure you have everything very clear). The water wasn't very clear at this particular beach although there were some good shell findings. We shopped around a bit too. Got a steel drum for my husband off someone on the street for $40 (talked them down from $50) and also went to United Colors of Benetton which had GREAT deals and I wish I had bought more. Bought a fancy dress for $25 marked down from $175! I would have bought more had this not just been our second stop.

 

Barbados: We did the Malibu beach break. Great price for a great day! The beach was very nice and the waters nice. The tour was informative and the samples were intense! LOL! It included beach chairs and a Malibu drink for something like $27. I recommend this tour very much--or you can just spend it on the nice beach!

 

St. Maarten: We didn't do a tour here. Took a water taxi into the dutch side and it was very nice. We looked around at the back street area (I think it is called)--they have a main street with all the dang diamond and expensive shops. My husband and I like going into stores the locals use and find bargains. I was looking for toys and didn't find a very good selection. We did buy our liquor here as it was a great price. 2 bottles of Bailys n Mint and a backpack for $30, also Havanna Club was a good price and they had all of them here (shh..don't tell the US govt!).

 

Tortola: We took the tour to Virgin Gorda Baths. I wasn't that impressed. It was a pretty rugged trail back up and down so dont' do it if you can't walk or stoop (some people complained--although I found it easy). We didn't really have very much time once we got down there which was disappointing. I liked it there and all but it wasn't what I expected (I expected more rocks creating pools)--the time there was far too short. Good snorkeling though and clear waters.

[girlbuffalo1]

Overall we had a very good trip. Make SURE to pack your Dramamine even if you don't generally have problems. The ship was a movin' in and out of NYC in the open atlantic. I liked the Spirit--especially at the price we got it at--however our next trip will definitely be on a more adventerous ship and perhaps on RCL. Make sure to make reservations if you like sitting alone--don't just show up to the dining room. You can go down the first day and make a few nights and then do it again once you figure out what time and venue work for you. My main CON to the whole trip was the folks on it. They complained EVERYWHERE. People complained about the food, the entertainment, the temperature. They would come in groups and then repeat the same complaint over and over again amoungst each other. People were very rude. Not once did I hear an excuse me or a "no go ahead" or anything in the buffet unless I or my husband were saying it. The buffet was a mess in the morning on port days so I recommend the dining room. People almost rioted waiting for buses in Barbados. One group got put ahead of us as they had an early tour and some guys started loudly yelling. Getting off the ship for express debard someone put their arm across the elevator and wouldn't let people out "cause I was waiting 20 minutes already". It was amazing when we got back to Indiana and people were waving us on in traffic, and being overall friendly again--I thought I forgot what common decency was like! LOL!

 

Overall it was good though--the ship, crew, food, stops ect were all great! Feel free to ask questions and I'll do the best that I can

[Go Habs Go]

Just got back from the Spirit and yes we must say this was a very nice cruise overall. Love the 10 day concept. Allows the cruise to feel like a more complete and fulfilling vacation.

We've salied 12 cruises before on Celebrity/HAL/RCL/Princess/ NCL and must say that from our previous experience on NCL where they were pathetic 5 years ago, great improveemnts have been made in the appearance of the ships /staff politeness/ crispness of uniforms and quality of overall food.

Only one bad dinner in main dining room but did eat in all speciallty restaurants, best being Asian/Shogun.

Others were great as well, with the extra fee is really worth adding to the overall cruise experience. You do feel like your dining offshore in fine restaurants.

Yes the Raffles buffet does get a noisy and kind of messy and much preferred to have breakfast in main dining room. Great eggs Benedict!

 

Lunch elsewhere was also preferred as trays and volume of people was a bit of a turnoff at the buffet. Very cafeteria like feeling. Go to the main dinig rooms and enjoy!

 

Never attended any shows but the Mellenium girls were the best entertainment and voices we've heard in a long time on a cruise ship. These girls ought to have recording contracts immediately. Whitney Houston and Celine back to back songs Wow can they belt them out!!

 

I'd say the Star Cruise Company that purchased NCL has done a great job for Price to Value as far as what we saw this time around.

Great germ control stations everywhere also to prevent these nasty viruses.

 

We will definitely sail NCL again as we were so reluctant after our previous experience.

 

They must do something about that Barbados experience of getting off the ship. That was a disaster but it is mostly to blame for the port dock being renovated and having to take buses to the terminal.

No tendering at all in all ports,which was great!

 

Just a note to the Gainey family that lost Laura Gainey on a tall ship on Friday night of Cape Cod.

The seas were so rough!

 

May God be with the family through this difficult ordeal!

[womenflybetter]

I was on this cruise as well. I mostly agree with your review but have just one question. How the heck did you manage to get even ONE reservation in any of the specialty restaurants much less several? My husband and I dined in Windows every single night because we couldn't get in anywhere else.

[212cruiser]

We were also on this cruise, and posted our review here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=453383

 

Interestingly, we made the exact same observation and commented in the review that we could not get a reservation in the specialty restaurants by calling the restaurant. We had to call our Concierge. While she was able to get us in the restaurant, it was always at least 80% EMPTY when we got there. We couldn't figure this out either and surmised they were discouraging diners from eating during the discount hour. However, it also happened as late as 8:00 p.m.!

What gives, NCL?

[girlbuffalo1]

For Barbados I would recommend that the people on 9 & 10 am tours be the only ones allowed off the boat prior to 10 and then have a general disembarkation. I thought perhaps there were busses as that seemed to be their industrial port and obviously they wouldn't want anyone walking around as that would be pretty poor and lax security.

 

Restaraunt Reservations: 11/30 we ate in Raffles for dinner since we were so exhausted from our flight run around. Mid morning 11/31 we made reservations for 11/31 Garden Room 6pm, 12/1 Le Bistro 5:30 seating, 12/2 Windows 5:30 PM, 12/3 La Trattoria 7pm and 12/7 Shogun Teppanyaki at 7:30. Then on 12/2 we made reservations for 12/4, 12/5, 12/6, 12/8, 12/9--all at either Garden or Windows for early 5:30 time. We sat alone every night generally by a Window when in Windows.

 

I do think Millenium was very good although I'm not so sure about their personal attitudes (perhaps that comes with being a diva)--they cut in line in front of hubby one breakfast! LOL! (perhaps they were in a hurry though ?)

 

No one else observed people yelling about lines and the constand complaining?

[212cruiser]

No one else observed people yelling about lines and the constand complaining?

No. Nor did we ever see a line other than the short line at Windows to be seated (maybe 1-2 minutes). Complaints? Never heard a single complaint. One other observation: several people have posted about people "cutting" in line at Raffles to get to the specific food they wanted to plate. Raffles does not have any specific direction to take when plating your food. Plates, silver and trays are available at several points along the rail/counter, and no one needs to wait behind someone wanting a cold-cut sandwich in order to get to the hot foods 20 feet down the rail. Everyone was respectful in the line and waited to be served (or to choose) the type of food they wanted, and I never observed anybody "cut-off" anyone. I thought we had a very nice group of fellow paxs.

[CPT Trips]

we will be on the Jan 2 cruise, so the comments were all of interest.

I do have one question, and I'll confess that I also posted it on another thread.

Thanks for the review.

We are having a "Cruise Critic" get together, tenatively in Henry's Pub . . . there are now close to 30 people signed up and I wonder wherther Henry's will be big enough. What do you think having been on board? Is there a better spot for a pre-lunch get toether?

[girlbuffalo1]

I know there was some confusion and yes it is fine to go ahead in line if someone is waiting oh say for an omlette and you just want the fruit afterwards---but for instance I had people cut in and grab food as I was reaching for things, or coming in at me from both directions. Part of this was the fault of the buffet and how it is set up. Personally I think all specialty stops should be on one side with proper roping for a line so groups don't intermix. I guess what got me the most is when people would bumble into you or blantantly get in your way no one said "pardon me" or "excuse me" or "oh I'm sorry I didn't see you there" (this coming from a 24 yr old--I always thought older people were generally MORE considerate than 20-somethings).

 

What was even more embarassing was that we would hear people complain about staff in front of them like one person would say right in front of the person checking in people at Windows "they don't know how to use computers", then another in the group "yeah did you hear that they can't use the computers" and another ect. I really don't know how the staff could handle it!

 

Then there was people yelling loudly about lines both getting off in Barbados and when doing the express debark.

 

I have been on 5 other cruises and have never experienced quite the caliber of overall rudeness and brash attitues. I wait patiently in line and if someone cuts they cut and they should know it's rude I'm not going to scream at them in a public setting!

 

I didn't spend much time in Henry's Pub although I do think it could hold 30 probably.

 

Anyways the attitudes didn't ruin our cruise or anything but did entertain us a bit afterwards and now we go around the house joking to each other saying "I can't stand this great weather we're having", or "Oh please spare me from another great meal" LOL...

[Go Habs Go]

Henry's Pub was one of my least favorite pubs. It constantly smelled of stale smoke. I guess it's where the smokers migrated. Not to big of a place though and might be a tight squeeze for a party of 30.

 

Specialty Restaurants were mostly empty every night. I asked about it and was told they acommodate a walk in to anyone who wishes to dine. It could vary from night to night though as the Bistro was quite good but only about 30-40 people can be accomodated.

 

To be safe reserve as you come on the ship. The desk is set up for specialty restaurants and start making reservations for each one as you board the ship. You can cancel 24hours out. IMO Don't make any reservations on the 2nd night as it's the formal night and dinner in the main dining room's quite good with Lobster etc.

 

Shogun was constantly empty and we dined twice at 7:30-9:00pm .

 

I liked the Champagne bar on Deck 8 with it's wide open atmosphere and clean air with enough seating to possibly hold 30+.

 

Casino does not pay as far as what I observed on the slots. Maybe someone else has an opinion

 

Other than that great ship and overall nice people from over 65

countries...!!:)

[CPT Trips]

Thanks for the comments about Henry's and the suggestions for alternatives.

[212cruiser]

Specialty Restaurants were mostly empty every night. I asked about it and was told they acommodate a walk in to anyone who wishes to dine.

Not necessarily. We personally observed a couple in front of us at Shogun, without a reservation, denied a table. The restaurant was at least 80% empty. The same thing at Cagney's on several nights. We couldn't figure it out.

The only restaurant we observed full was Le Bistro (the 1 night we dined there), and that could have been a large party.

[Dolphins]

Henry's Pub was one of my least favorite pubs. It constantly smelled of stale smoke. I guess it's where the smokers migrated. Not to big of a place though and might be a tight squeeze for a party of 30.

 

Specialty Restaurants were mostly empty every night. I asked about it and was told they acommodate a walk in to anyone who wishes to dine. It could vary from night to night though as the Bistro was quite good but only about 30-40 people can be accomodated.

 

To be safe reserve as you come on the ship. The desk is set up for specialty restaurants and start making reservations for each one as you board the ship. You can cancel 24hours out. IMO Don't make any reservations on the 2nd night as it's the formal night and dinner in the main dining room's quite good with Lobster etc.

 

Shogun was constantly empty and we dined twice at 7:30-9:00pm .

 

I liked the Champagne bar on Deck 8 with it's wide open atmosphere and clean air with enough seating to possibly hold 30+.

 

Casino does not pay as far as what I observed on the slots. Maybe someone else has an opinion

 

Other than that great ship and overall nice people from over 65

countries...!!:)

 

Totally agree with you about the smoky Henry's Pub and the refreshing Champagne Charlie's. I don't know if Ariel Jacobe was performing on your cruise but we just couldn't enjoy him in the poorly ventilated and smoky Henry's Pub. He was a delight every night in Champagne Charlie's overlooking the atrium. Unfortunately, they also held the trivia contests in Henry's Pub and it only took one smoker to pollute the entire room.

 

By the way, I hope I'm not showing my age when I tell you I saw Habs Hall of Famers Rocket Richard, Doug Harvey and Bill Durnan play in my youth.

[saxacd]

I was on this cruise as well. I mostly agree with your review but have just one question. How the heck did you manage to get even ONE reservation in any of the specialty restaurants much less several? My husband and I dined in Windows every single night because we couldn't get in anywhere else.

 

Wow! I was on this sailing with my wife and made reservations at Le Bistro, Teppanyaki and Cagney's no problem. I made 2 of the reservations same day, and one of them one day prior.

[judyf]

Nice review

[Go Habs Go]

Great to see an original 6 guy. I'm on the edge of these greats with Beliveau and Richard etc and the Rangers teams with Eddie Giacomin, Brad Park, and a little of the Boomer.

Had a great time on the Spirit meeting some wonderfull people from NY amongst others.

 

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[girlbuffalo1]

I too noticed the smoke smell in Henry's so if you are able to get Champagne Charlies for your get together that would be preferrable!

[wiselindag]

Hi Girlbuffalo1,

 

Excellent review. Thanks for the tips. We will be on the holiday cruise 12/21-1/2 and since it will be a full ship we know we have to get reservations done as soon as we board. Quick question: What was the temperature like on the ship the first night and day before arriving in Florida and then on the return to NYC? Was it the same as when you were in the tropics? I'm trying to figure out whether I need something different to wear on the first and last night... never sailed out of NYC in the winter before. It's warm this week, but I imagine it will cool off by the time we sail.

 

Thanks for taking the time to review your experience and answer questions.

 

Best regards,

Linda

[Welove2cruise2]

girlbuffalo1: great review! We also had a wonderful time on this cruise!

 

wiselindag: you will need cold weather clothes the first night on board -- by about noon or so on the first sea day we were out on the pool deck -- in fact, we got up that morning and put on shorts!

 

The last full day was very cool and windy on deck. By late afternoon, it was downright cold! Enjoy your holiday cruise on the Spirit! She's a beautiful ship and the crew is the best! Say hello to Magdaline in the Cafe or Champagne Charlie's, and Jun in Henry's for us!

 

Peggy & Joe

[wiselindag]

Peggy and Joe,

 

Thanks so much for posting a reply. That's the quickest turnaround ever on these boards... just posted the question and went to the Tortola port section for opinions on beaches, and there was your answer.

 

Best regards,

Linda