Seas2mountains

Here is the two amazing seating areas on the Spirit in Spinnaker. It’s definitely better for the Alaska itineraries but it was also in demand when we were on in September for Hawai’i to Tahiti.

NCL Spirit. The observation lounge AKA Spinnaker Lounge is a great place to watch the views while listening to music - especially in two special seating areas in the front corners. Also, the H2O area in the aft with an adults only pool area with two hot tubs and tiered seating is really neat. The crew seem happier than on other ships for some reason. Love all Jewel class ships, too.

Thank you for doing a live review! It was interesting to read about your week before the cruise. It sounds like the Duke of Wellington is highly recommended when in Southampton. Have a wonderful cruise! I look forward to reading your comments and appreciate the photos.

Had dinner with the officers on the Spirit at the end of September (Hawaii to Tahiti cruise).

I think you are making a great decision to DIY with rental cars at the ports. We wish we would have done that in Kauai to go see Waimea Canyon as we would have rather had lunch at Duke's or even on the ship instead of in the town of Waimea. Due to the stop in Waimea that was not listed on the NCL tour description, we were much later getting back to the ship than projected. I look forward to reading your live review! We did consider POA but found the itinerary and cost of being on the Spirit for 12 days in a balcony was so much less than POA. I do understand how expensive the POA is compared to other NCL itineraries and do get how this is quite an investment. We take the same approach that you do about knowing that you may return to these ports in the future and don't need to see every sight with each stop. Since we only rented a car at Hilo, I can say that it took about 10 minutes to get from the port to the airport and cost $16 each way before tip. The taxis were lined up and very available at all ports. We rented from National and the pick-up and drop-off was very easy with no lines. At the Hilo airport, there is a special phone to use to request a taxi pick-up and it took about 2-3 minutes from the time we called to have the taxi arrive. I hope you are able to visit VNP whether the government shuts down or not. As long as they allow access at the park gate and give a map, you will be just fine with seeing the sites and do not need the visitor center to be open. Since you are traveling with kids, be sure to save time to walk through the lava tube. That was really neat to walk through the cave like area in the dark. https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/day-hike-nahuku.htm Embarkation at the port in Honolulu was very different from what we experienced in other NCL embarkation ports. While our check-in time was at 10:30am-11:00am, when we arrived just before 10:30am, we had to wait with our bags until about 10:40am when they would allow the porters to take the bags. We had to wait in a line to have access to a stapler as we usually had the porters staple the tags when we arrived at the port. They had only one stapler and that was why they had us in the same line as people who arrived without tags. After dropping our bags, we were directed to the security line which did not open until a little after 11am. Once the security line did open, people went from security to check-in and then immediately on the ship with no waiting. For people with mobility challenges or who found standing to be challenging, it would be better to arrive later as there was no sitting involved or chairs available when waiting to drop bags or to go through security. I don't know if this is how it works for POA or if there were unique delays with the Spirit? Looking forward to your review! Have safe travels and enjoy the beautiful Hawaiian Islands and weather!

Have a wonderful cruise! We just got off the Spirit Honolulu to Tahiti cruise yesterday morning and are sitting in the airport lounge in Tahiti waiting to fly home. What excursions do you have planned? We thought Waimea Canyon in Kauai was gorgeous. We did an excursion with NCL but did not care for the hour stop in Waimea town area although others seemed to like having time to shop for souvenirs. We had shrimp and shrimp tacos for lunch but it was only okay. We rented a car in Hilo to visit Volcanoes National Park and Rainbow Falls. We were able to enjoy the beautiful weather both afternoons as these took up our mornings but we had time to relax in the afternoon. For our stop in Maui, we stayed in the area as all aboard was at 1:30pm and most excursions were canceled due to the fires. Some smart people raved about having a taxi driver take them to a beach with many protected turtles and enjoyed watching them from a distance. There is a Whole Foods very close to the port in Maui if you need to get any snacks. I hope you have wonderful weather like we experienced. We have been to Hawaii several times and highly recommend cruising the Hawaiian Islands.

You are very welcome! Thank you for posting the photos. I’d love to read more if you are willing to share.

From a POA social media group.

Because they want to make sure all island resources are focused on those who need them most in these early days of recovery.

Tip with cash. Tip often. Tip generously. .

Being able to see Kenai Fjords with the glacier, whales and wildlife would be worth the time and money, in my opinion, rather than getting a $50 excursion credit.

When do you arrive in Anchorage? I agree with @quack2 about taking the early morning train so you have time to do a boat excursion in Seward and also agree that it has been a highlight for cruises with port stops in Seward. You will see whales, glaciers and wildlife.

Will they make you a Matador? Otherwise, don't you like those chocolate or Black Forest martinis?

By now, they need to give you the beverage package for free. Or a year supply of the worlds’s best Norwegian cake. I hope you can figure out a way for Dad to try that cake. I lived in the beautiful wine town of Sommerach for a little over 3 years. Sorry for the delayed response. I’m catching up.

Unbelievable. I’m so sorry. Ewww, not toenails. Yuck! You have done several B2B and you have never had this happen have you? We got all of that on the B2B on the Spirit.

Sorry to @YVRteacherfor the hijack, but did you find Cherryl on the Spirit? I sure hope I didn’t misunderstand when her contract was ending. We are considering the Star for next June but maybe not with all these negative reports.

Go to Henry’s Pub to have Froilan make a Matador. It does get crowded I also like the San Remo at Onda as it tastes similar to a Matador. Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you for doing a live review, Amy! I’m enjoying following along with you! 😀 Are you using iPhone to take your photos? If so, make sure the volume buttons are facing down when taking a photo if you are trying to capture a landscape shot. Enjoy your final days! We tend to cruise mostly on NCL but have cruised twice in MSC YC on Seaside and Davina. We do have NCL and MSC YC cruises booked in the future. How is the entertainment in the YC? Are things a little crazy when you leave the YC?

I’m loving your live review and we are all so lucky we get to read about your adventures for two more weeks! I hope you do see a polar bear and more reindeer. It’s wonderful to hear you are having a great time. The photos of the Midnight Sun are stunning. Before I lived in Germany many years ago, I didn’t care for wine until I tried Riesling which was grown and made in the town where I lived. It is very tasty as long as it isn’t too sweet. Do you have any desire to add the drink package for the second half so you can drink more glasses of Riesling and have a Matador?

I hope you have a wonderful cruise! 😄 Please do let us know all about it when you can!

I wish we could be on that cruise but I will be working at my school those days. I was thinking it would be Japan to Vancouver until I remembered the Spirit will be in Asia next summer. Looks like a wonderful itinerary. 😁

Things have changed. It is now dinner for two at ANY specialty dining restaurant. At restaurants like Food Republic, you can choose four items per person. You can also use it for sushi. The only restaurant excluded is Palomar.

She said her contract ended at the end of August.

YES!!! That is Cherryl! Go directly to Magnums!!! She is amazing!

If you are miserable on the Spirit with this cabin upgrade, there are people on the ship who can ease your pain. Magnums Jane, Cherryl and Made. Jane can sing. Spinnakers. Made and many others Henry’s Pub. Froilan and Orlando Orlando can sing, too.