barbevrn

The photos are beautiful, but wheres the palm trees? Where's the tank tops? As you can tell, I'am more of a tropical girl, but loving your review! I really miss this ship. Can't wait.

Please don't tell kcslim and kllund too much, I think they are plotting evil for the rest of us.

Lets just say, there wasn't a palm tree to be seen. We did see a lot of folks enjoying the pools and hot tubs though. I don't think I've seen so many of the robes used as swimsuit coverups as on this cruise. If you are looking for warm and tropical, you won't find it. If you are looking at the most jaw dropping scenery you have ever seen.........look no further.

She still isn't my favorite ship. But, hey.......I'd sail her again, and again, and again.

We made our way through the inside passage and went to one of the shows by the ships naturalist, Michelle that afternoon. She made announcements through the day of points of interest and wildlife. You could only hear her on the forward decks, in the public areas, if you had your door open, or tuned your TV to channel 15. We COULD NOT hear her with the door closed or on our aft balcony. We did turn the TV on a few times and prop the door, but you had to turn it pretty loud to hear it over the sound of the water back there. And, when she wasn't talking there was the most boring clasical music. Not a little boring but.........like nails on a chalk board. I was able to tolerate it, but DH could not and would not. Everytime I turned around he had it off or on another channel. Grumpy Gus! :p

Cruising the inside passage.

My first whale spout!

My first whale tail

My first bear in the wild

My first eagle........can you see it?

On one of my trips back to my room, I was greeted by our room Steward, Wayman or something like that and the assistant. I had to sign something saying he had introduced himself. That was the very first time EVER in all my 11 cruises that they came by specifically to introduce themselves or that I had to sign a paper. I guess I'm just too easy because this isn't a deal breaker for me. It was a nice touch, but then again, not necessary IMO. Even though DH was not with me at the time, he addressed us both by our first name from then on. Both of them were always smiling and did a superb job. Can they pick up after you too much:confused: :confused: :p

He did ask if there was anything we needed. I pouted a little about no towel animal the first night. He said they were usually just too busy the first night and made sure we had one every night from then on out!

I really had not intended to get any drinks in the souvenir cups. But, if you ask for a DOD, that's what you get unless you specify. Who wants to carry it around with them in order to get a couple bucks off the refill? I don't drink that much to make it worth the effort. With luggage restrictions, I didn't want to carry them home. I don't need any more and made an effort not to order any more DOD's.

I wanted a few photos with both of us, so I admit to being a dork. I took my tripod and set my timer. It feels weird taking a picture of yourself. But, hey......it's all in the the sake of recording every moment of the cruise to relive over and over.......Right?

We traveled through the inside passage. The scenery was breathtaking. It is difficult to describe and difficult to capture on film. It is almost sensory overload to the point that things start to look the same. It is so serene and unspoiled. Something that is so rare to experience.

We had planned to sleep in, but I just couldn't do it. I was up around and ready to go.

This was the view from our balcony.......SIGHHHHHHHHH.

We went to the buffet and found more than enough to eat. I will never understand how someone can come off of a cruise and complain that there was nothing to eat. I think the French toast on a ship is to die for.

We spent some more time trying to learn the ship. For some reason we stayed turned around much of the time. Even though the Spirit is smaller than the Conquest, she was harder to get around in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, she is a beauty and the staff was always seen cleaning and painting.

It took me a few days to get use to going DOWN to the public areas. The major difference in the Spirit class is that for the most part, the public areas are on decks 2,3, and lido. There are a full 4 decks (almost 5) of nothing but cabins between the Atlantic and Lido decks. The Promenade was located on the 2nd floor and enclosed. The exterior promenade was on deck 3. This was great for getting closer to the water in attempt to see water creatures.

Getting oriented after getting off the elevator on deck 6 was really

confusing for us, well me anyway. Due to the cabins alternating being inset to accomodate the life boats, the hallways did a lot of zig zagging. You could not get off the elevator and look down the hallway to get your bearings. It looked the same no matter what. If we got off the forward elevator.....we would have to zig zag about 5 times do go down the single hallway to our aft balcony. I'm not sure this makes sense at all.

This sign quickly became our friend. Now, you know why I love that funnel so much.

I talked DH into going to the dining room for lunch. The meal was just so so. Nothing to write home about. But, then again.....nothing to complain about either. This was the one and only time we ate in the dining room for lunch. We NEVER went for breakfast. DH hates getting use to new dining companions and "hates sitting with strangers." Grumpy Gus :p I on the other hand LOVE meeting new peeps. We did meet some really nice folks and actually wound up being seated right next to them in the formal dining room. We visited with them the rest of the cruise.

I guess I should count my lucky stars that I can get him to the dining room for the evening meal. Sheesh, Ok, ok........I'll quit grumping to myself. In his defense, he does enjoy the going to the dining room at night. He even made the comment that he did not understand why anyone would pass on it. I'm sure he would if he could get a steak to order on the buffet. May that never happen!

By this time, it is a little after 7. We had the 8:15 dining time and went to the room to freshen up. We reviewed the capers and indeed jeans were approved for the cruise casual night.

Dress Codes For Both Dining Rooms:

Cruise Casual: Spor slacks, Khakis, Jeans (no cut offs), dress shorts (long), collard sports shirts for gentlemen. For ladies: Casual dresses, casual skirts, or pants and blouses, summer dresses, capri pants, dress shorts or jeans (no cut-offs)

Cruise Elegant: Gents: Dress slacks, dress shirts. We also suggest a sports coat. If you wish to wear suits & ties or tuxes pleas feel free

Ladies: Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts & blouses; if you want to show off your evening gowns, that's great too!

NOT PERMITTED in the dining room on Cruise Elegant nights for ladies & gents: shorts, t-shirts, beach flip flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless hirts for men, sportswear & baseball hats.

I'm assuming by both dining rooms they mean Nouveau Supper Club as well as the Empire dining room, since there is only on regular dining room.

We dropped by the casino and spent a little $$$ I hit a royal flush on the video poker and won a nice little pot. Had I stayed out of the casino, I woulda been a lot better off.:rolleyes:

We were seated at a table for 6 but only one other couple ever showed up. Our waiter said that was normal to have a light showing the first night. The other couple (mainly the man) complained a lot about the food and that they didn't offer what they had seen advertised. :confused: Not sure where it was advertised, but they repeated it several times. This was the one and only time they ever showed up for the assigned seating. Not sure if it was our jeans, that DH likes beer with his steak and they were drinking wine, or as the waiter said they wanted an earlier seating. But, it was a relief for us and we had a table for six for two..:D

We spent a litte time on deck, a little time walking around the ship, and a little more time in the casino. Had we not already realized that this was NOT are normal Carnival Cruise by looking at the make-up of passengers, we difinitely knew it when the casino was pretty much dead at 12:30. They went around telling us the casino would be closing at 1am because it wasn't busy. :eek: :eek: :eek: I seem to do my best at the tables between 1am and 3am. Yea, that's it. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.!

OOPS, Almost forgot to add that we went up for pizza before going to bed. I wasn't really hungry, but it's just something that has to be done on a cruise.

Bye, Bye Lions Gate

Bye, Bye Vancouver.......thanks for the memories

I just like this photo.........

Woo Hoo. This review has paid off bigtime. I got caught up going on the bridge and didn't realize I was seeing a DIFFERENT lighthouse. This one is Point Atkinson Lighthouse. Had I realized, I would have taken a little more time with composition.

Don't let KCslim fool you .. we already plan to put up lights for the halloween party and to warn off those that may have inbibed too much .. ( oh yes .. we are in the cabin next door )b

 

Thank you for this awesome review !!!

:eek: :eek: :eek: KCslim, I see why you are worried about getting clotheslined. :D

Love the ballcap..GO COWBOYS!!!

:D He is die hard and very loyal. If you notice going under the bridge....you can see the brim. DH got dissed BAD while in Ketchikan. We were talking about the weather being extra cool this summer and how depressing it must be. He said.......no depressing would be being a Cowboy fan. It took DH by surprise, but I was rolling.

Just for you kcslim :D A few through the balcony doors!

Awesome! I'am another one here going on the Spirit soon. Second time. I'am always looking for great places for pictures, and I love the one in the Jungle. I never thought of that last time.:o

More, more, more!

It was fun. I went back a couple of times. Just remember,if you want the person's face to show up, make sure the flash is on. If you just want a silhouette, leave the flash off!

From reading these boards, I knew we needed to stay on deck to enjoy the sail under the bridge to the fullest. I did hear someone say the thought there should have been announcements that we get to experience that. Once again, Cruise Critic is the best!!!!!!!!! It's really not as close as it looks, but still gets your attention.

We set sail just aft 6pm, somewhat later than the scheduled 5:30. The time flew by as we watched the floatplanes come in and out and the SeaBus pull in and out of the station. We could see the seagulls swooping down into the water and harbour seals playing in the water. There was no hurry..........we were on the ship!

We started backing out of Canada Place and we stood on the bow to say goodbye to Vancouver.

swung a little to the right

And headed for Lions Gate Bridge

Absolutely NO WORRIES!!! This is my FIRST aft cabin... I am SO PSYCHED! Tell me.. did you USE it as much as I think we will?

 

Karen

We used it, but not as much as we thought. But in all honesty it was because it was raining. It wasn't a cold rain, but just enough to keep you frum enjoying it to the fullest. I think we enjoyed it the most while coming into port and leaving port. It was nice to step out on the balcony and see the activity in port in the mornings. It sure beats having to get dressed to go topside.............:D

Thanks... Our good friends (and poster here) KLLund and her husband will be right next door. I know that we need to request to have the divider taken down.. and I am assuming it will only be the "door" part.. but we are somewhat "worried"... we might get "CLOTHESLINED" lol

 

Looking forward to more from you... haven't been on the spirit before! Thanks again

 

Karen

Not sure about clotheslined...........well, I guess if you are tall. But it sure does look like you could get a major headache if you didn't watch that beam :D They did seam to put those chairs and table back in that same spot no matter how many times we moved them though.

Thank you so much for this review, Barb! The photos are awesome.. can't wait to board The Spirit! "Our" cabin looks great!! :D Did you, by any chance, see any balconies with the dividers "down". We're trying to envision the "door" between the aft next to us, or if the whole divider, beam will be taken town. Thanks!

 

Karen

No, I didn't but if you look at the balcony photo here you can see the hinges on the divider. We were right next to the port aft wrap. Not sure which way it swings.But, it looks like it swings away from the aft wrap and into the balcony of 6262 latch visibe above the chairs. Do you see it?

I like the sound of "our cabin" LOL......Glad my photos were useful!

We went back up to the top decks again since we had a little time to kill before sail away and the muster drill. I was like a maniac trying to see everything inside the ship as well as the awesome views that only the open decks provide of a port! I felt like a kid in a candy store. LOL

One of the many, many, many float planes we saw throughout the cruise. This is actually one of the main modes of transportation in Canada and Alaska.

Can you believe this green on the mini golf course? My only regret is that I didn't bring the lens down just a hair to capture the revolving resturaunt.

We saw several of these criters from the bow of the ship. I'm thinking it must be a Harbour seal?

They started anouncing for Muster Drill around 4:45 pm. The steward poked his head in and we told him we were on our way. He stuck the red thing in the door right then. I'm sure we coulda skipped it easy enough, but muster on an Alaskan cruise is the last thing I wanted to miss. I don't have to much fear of floating in the warm Caribbean waters, but can't fathom being in the water there...........

I thought I completly missed that picture of my first DOD. But, I didn't lol

These first two were taken in the "jungle" which wraps around the 2nd level of Pharaoh's Palace on the Atlantic deck. I did have to use my forced flash for the window picture.

Next two are near Pharoah's Palace, I think I have more later

At one of the entances to the sports bar. I went back later and took some more photos. I'll share them when I get there

We did stay in the room long enough to unpack. I wanted to get out and explore, but DH was intent on getting things put away first. I'm glad we did........but at the time I wanted to see everything all at once.

Then, back up to lido with a stop at the bar by the dome pool. DH had his first Alaskan beer and I had my first DOD! OH YEA! We are in cruise mode now! Met Jo Jo and Patti........both very friendly and smiling bartenders that were super friendly and recognized us the rest of the trip. It was VERY WARM under the dome. There are two pools, one is covered and one is not. We tested the water and it was like bath water. But, alas.......we never got in the pool, or hot tubs for that matter.

Another of my favorite photos. I do have a few that I think are exceptional and this is one of them. That beloved funnel with the Vancouver skyline........................

By now it is around 1, so we prompty go to drop off our luggage before exploring. We were on Empress and had and extended aft balcony room 6262.

The aft balcony IS NOT covered. It IS NOT terribly private. You can look down and see folks on the balcony and you can look up and see folks on the ones above. This is only if they are standing by the railing. You cannot see them if they are sitting in the chairs or standing closer to the ship. So, I suppose if you are intent on PDA, just snuggle up to the ship.

We were dropped off at the terminal around 12:30. Let me just say the terminal is HUGE. Texas ain't got anything on Vancouver here. They were boarding THREE different ships at the same time, in the same terminal. But, did I say the terminal is HUGE? They could have easily had more ships in port without congestion. I actually think I had my mouth open and jaw dropping to the point that I forgot to take pictures. Then, once we got into the customs area, pictures were not allowed.

I could see people boarding and it was like holding back a rabid dog. But, immigration has a way of doing that without difficulty. We went through several lines with MULTIPLE checks to see if we had our passports. I lost count, but it was a LOT! It was almost a walk by check and didn't take long..........but my ship was calling. At one point I tried to pull the VIP card and was told "You haven't even cleared customs yet." :o I had to tell myself to breath in, breath out...........

I don't remember filling out a declaration form. But, I do know we were clearing US customs, so we must have. I was in a fog with tunnel vision that was focused solely on GETTING ON THAT SHIP! Once we actually got to the customs booths it was a breeze. They swiped our passport, glanced at us and waved us on. HUH? Again, so easy. Was it because we are US citizens? :confused: Are we that boring lookin? It was almost scarey easy.

Then comes check in. We walked up to the first Carnival rep. SAAWWEEEEET. We had a personal escort up to the next available rep. There wasn't an established VIP area. I'm not sure if it was because we weren't there when boarding started or what. But we got checked in immediatly and walked straight on the ship. DH said we got some pretty ugly stares when we were walked past the masses. But, I didn't notice. That tunnel vision was still in full force!

AHHHHHH! I can see it, feel it, almost touch it at this point. It wasn't quite time to get into our cabin, so up to the Lido we went. We found this area very confusing. Walkways were VERY narrow. Had I not been on other ships, I wouldn't have known that it wasn't always this way. The deli and coffee bar are in the middle of the buffet area. It took a couple of days before we could find it without difficulty.

YEA BABY! My much anticipated Reuben Sandwich..... I can honestly tell you I look forward to these as much as I do lobster night! YUUUUMMMMYYYYYYY! Excuse me, I need a moment here. SIGHHHHHH

DH always gets a turkey sandwich.

I'm sad to say that this is the ONLY food pictures I took. LOL

Your reviews are great! I'm wanting to try Alaska too but hate being cold. What was the weather like in Alaska? Your review is making me more interested in trying it out sometime. You are like me, changing rooms and looking for the best for a good price and great OBC. We are on the Hawaiian cruise on the Spirit Oct. 6 with an extended balcony so keep it coming.:)

Thanks,

Cassandra

From what I understand, they are having an unusually cold and wet summer. The weather there is very unpredictable. I read and read and read over on the Alaska board. Everyone said layers instead of a coat. While onboard, slacks and a t-shirt was fine. But, for any outside excursion especially on a boat......I wore long underwear on the bottom under jeans. I usually wore a comfy long sleeve t-shirt type with a pull over fleece and lightweight jacket. I could pull off layers and put them back on as needed. It worked GREAT. Socks and tennis shoes were my norm. I took some winter type boots, but never wore them. I never got too cold, but got too hot a couple of times. I did hear some complain about being cold but they usually had sandals, capris, or thin dress pants.

You are doing a beautiful job on this review, thank you! And, I'm one of the people in your cabin for October.. so any photos would be great to see!

 

Karen

I do hope some are coming of your cabin .. my friends have it for the Mex Riviera in Oct ..

yep, cabin pictures coming soon!

These hollow trees are formed when saplings take root on top of the stump of an old tree that has broken off or been cut down. When the stump dries up and crumples, the new tree is left standing on its roots.

You can see the roots of the top tree growing down the sides of the stump

As you can see, we packed a ton af stuff into a short period of time. We arrived at our hotel around noon on the 26th and arrived at the terminal around 12:30 on the 27th. I am so thankful that we made the decision to go in a day early. It does make me think of all the embarkation cities we missed by flying in the day of on our past cruises.

My personal thoughts and observations on Vancouver:

Do get out of the city. Dowtown Vancouver is very cramped and congested.

Vancouver has way more to offer than what we experienced. Way more! I had no idea.

Though sometimes brusque, the people are very friendly, Just short and to the point at times. I found this to be true in Alaska also.

Canadians are VERY proud people. They love showing off their country.

All in all this was an experience all on it's own. Absolutely no regrets for having experienced Vancouver. I'll pick up with embarkation as soon as I can. A whole new adventure to relive....:)

We stopped at Totem Poles as well as Prospect point. Stanley Park suffered extensive damage in Dec 2006 due to high winds and subfreezing temperatures. Thousands of trees were lost. I had really looked forward to seeing Prospect point in all its glory, but it was under construction. The view of Lions Gate Bridge and the waterways around Vancouver was still one to behold. I cannot even imagine how devastating the damage was. I am sure it was horrific for the residents of that proud city.

Brockton Point Lighthouse. This photo will definitely find a place in my most treasured of the trip.

Lone rider along the sea wall. I find this photo haunting as well as beautiful

Girl in a wetsuit monument

This is the view from Prospect point. Though the actual landscaping of the area was under construction, this view and picture more than made up for it.

This old church caught my eye. I just thought it was beautiful

I may just have to get some personal postcard made of this one

A gas station in the middle of the bay?

A birds eye view of Vancouver