Looking for info on the Spirit

[ripleysmom]

Can anyone tell me about the Spirit? How did you like the ship? How was the crew? Do they have the covered pool in the back?

 

If you have any info on a Cat 11 that would be especially helpful

[jleq]

http://www.cruisereviews.com/CarnivalCruiseLines/CarnivalSpirit.htm

 

http://www.seacruisereviews.com/bycruisedetail.asp?cruiseline=Carnival&cruiseship=Spirit

[Longin2cruise]

I've sailed twice on the Spirit & it's a beautiful ship. On both cruises, the crew were very friendly & helpful & the food was quite good both in selection & quality. I only had a category 8 so I can't help you on the cat. 11, but I'm sure it would be extremely nice. Have a great cruise!

[cruztime]

Hi,

 

We sailed on the Spirt to the Southern caribean last January. We had a great time! The Spirt is the first of the Spirt class ships so it showed a little more wear than the Pride (i.e. hall carpets, etc) However, that should not hold you back. It's a great ship. The layout makes it easy to get from point A to point B. Almost every deck goes front to back unlike the Conquest class ships that are somewhat cut up. The service was excellant and the food was very good. The casino wasn't very good to me, but then they seldom are. They had a great cigar bar with a nice jazz trio. Even if you're not into cigars it's still nice. It's so well ventilated that you can't even smell the cigars. If you go there see if Luis is still the night bartender. My wife swears by his Cosmo's.

He makes great drinks. Some I had never heard of before. We too had an 8B so I can't comment on the Cat 11, but I did get a peek inside one. Our aft cabin was right next to one. It was very nice and had a wraparound balcony.

Bottom line is you'll like the Spirt.

[cruisetmc]

We had an inside room on the Empress deck in December. While the crew had just changed, they all seemed to work together quite well. There are two uncovered pools in the middle of the Lido deck. Our favorite was the one back by the fan tail that had an adults only hot tub. The entertainment was good just watch where you set in the main lounge there are some obstructed views.

[kajsb]

I haven't sailed the Spirit yet, but I have sailed the Pride (sister ship of the Spirit) in a cat 11 room. It was wonderful. It was on the aft with a wraparound balcony and had a multiple room layout. I've heard that not every aft wraparound has the multiple room layout. But, I know for a fact that 4228, 4237, 7298, and 7347 do. When in doubt, if you call Carnival directly and give them a specific room number, they will tell you the exact features of that cabin.

 

Here are some pictures of 4228 to give you an idea of how wonderful this cabin is:

http://community.webshots.com/album/146127830RchNhk

[S.S. Cruisers]

Ripleysmom: We were on the Spirit last Oct. We loved the ship. As others have said, the lay-out is the best. Easy to navigate and find everything. The crew and food were wonderful.

 

We were in Cat. 11 room 5295 with the wrap-around balcony. That room is not configured like Kathy's. I did not think it was worth the extra $$. My sis was in a 8C, extended balcony right next door and I would go for that category next time. The bathroom in our room was great, 2 sinks, jacuzzi tub etc. But this room did not have the dressing room area. The bed was right next to the desk and if someone was sitting at the desk, you could not get around them to go out on the balcony or to the couch and TV area. They were on the far side of the room. It just dawned on me, if they had put the bed on the other side of the room and the couch and TV where the bed was it would have solved all the problems! Now I think I'm and interior decorator! I'm not complaining, the room worked, but I still don't think it was worth extra $$ spent. But there were only 2 of us. If you have more people in the cabin, the balcony would have been a plus. Hope this helps out.

[kajsb]

S.S. Cruisers. What I find interesting is that you can not have more than 2 booked in one of these cabins with the wraparound balcony. Our cabin was sooo much larger and could have easily held another 2 passengers. My guess is that because the couch does not have a hide-a-bed, they do not allow additional passengers in the cabin. And thanks for confirming that 5295 does not have the multiple rooms. If I am paying the extra $$, I want the extra comfort.

 

Ripleysmom, If you like the quiet of your own balcony rather than this is the type of cabin to book. If you are traveling with more than 2, you can always book the cabin next door and have the balcony divider opened up by your room steward. This will extend the size of your balcony and also allow easy access to the adjoining cabin.

[S.S. Cruisers]

Kathy: Live and learn, didn't know only 2 to a cabin. Never really checked out the couch, just assumed it was sofa bed. Now we know why we shouldn't assume! :D And, thats exactly my point. The room really was great but, sis paid $666 per person, we paid $999 pp, now room was not that much greater! But we know for the future. Extended balcony is fine for us.

[kajsb]

S.S. Cruisers,

 

Many nights, I'm a restless sleeper and a very early riser. So, this type of cabin is great for me. I can be up early, wandering about, on the balcony, doing whatever I want and not disturbing my travel companion.

 

I have family not to far from you in Tucson.

[ripleysmom]

Thanks for all of the information guys!!