What can I expect on the Spirit 8 Day Mexican Riviera?

[AnnaP]

So we are planning to book our second carnival cruise on the Spirit (Mexico). We have only sailed on the Dream with Carnival. Minus the obvious size difference and passenger count what can I expect to be “missing” or different. I thought I had read that the Spirit was outfitted with a seaside theatre and then I read something else to the contrary.

 

What are the highlights and lowlights of the ship? Is there still a sizable mini golf or is it a lot smaller? Is the casino tiny?

 

The itinerary is different than other cruise lines (which we liked) but there is very little information on these ports over on the Mexican Rivera port of call boards. Any insight into Acapulco, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, or Manzanillo? We will be cruising as a family with younger kids (6 & 11) so not sure what there is to offer. We love snorkeling, beaches, and the like. Not so much “partying”, etc. We don’t have to be someplace “touristy” and can appreciate a more authentic experience.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

A.

[Diamond Graham]

While I cannot directly compare to the Dream (I haven't sailed her yet) I can compare to the Conquest/Splendor classes of ships (the two closest in size and design to the Dream)

I thoroughly enjoyed the size and design of the Spirit Class ships with few noted exceptions. The decor is very nice and rich in wood tones and copper. I think the design of the main show lounge is about the best of any Carnival ship. The things that you may miss are the Seaside Theater and the Serenity area that are not present on the Spirit. Based on the design of the Lido are, in my opinion it would be difficult if not impossible to add the Seaside Theater.

 

The traffic flow around the public areas of the ship is very comfortable and once you adjust to the lobby being under the funnel, vs at the front of the ship, wayfinding should not be problematic. I particularly liked the break up of the Lido Buffet area "La Playa" into several seating and service areas, with both indoor and outdoor seating areas. I also like the fact that the atrium runs through this area as well anchoring the space back to the lobby even if it is 8 decks below.

 

As far as the ports are concerned, I found them to be quite different from typical Caribbean ports of call and was able to find something to do in all the ports. My definite not to miss experience was the cliff diver show at La Quebrada in Acapulco. I cannot imagine anyone going to see this spectacle and being disappointed. You can get a taxi to take you there and view the show from a terraced area across from the cliff and the fee is only $3.50 per person. I would be happy to try to answer any other specific questions.

[gargoyle999]

Just did this cruise last Nov. It's now my favorite Carnival ship. Decor is still Carnival but not so over the top with colors.

 

Adult only area isn't so great. Pretty windy up there. Piano bar allows smoking so I didn't like that, but I guess that's the same on all Carnival ships. Crew was very good and I didn't have any issues with the food other than I thought the sushi was gross. But I've never had sushi before so can't compare it to anything else. Suspect I'd hate it wherever I would have it, even if Carnival's isn't great. ;)

 

As for the ports we did a private tour in Acapulco and Manzanillo. Acapulco is big, crowded and traffic is crazy. Manzanillo was nice, but really had to drive aways from port to see "the sights". Went to Ixtapa Island for some snorkeling in Zihu. Not the best snorkeling I've seen but west side isn't the best side for snorkeling. I enjoyed it though.

 

None of the ports made me feel like I really wanted to go back for a land vacation. But I would go back to them on a cruise without hesitation.

 

Looking forward to being back on the Spirit in 10 days going to Hawaii. :)

[momofzeke]

We sailed the Spirit last month (February 2010) and absolutely had a wonderful cruise on her! LOVE the Spirit class ships! The layout is so easy to navigate. You can walk from front to back of the ship on any deck, all the way through ~ I like that a lot. On Conquest class (not sure if Dream is the same) there is a dining room that you must go up and around.

 

I also like the Aft pool area on Spirit class because it is all one flat deck, where you can go right up to the railing and look out, rather than the pool 1 deck below the open deck area like on a Conquest class ship. The main pool area is also a flat deck, rather than the tiered stadium style pool deck.

 

Spirit does not have the fish & chips, or the Seaside Theater. What it does have is probably the nicest crew we have encountered in our 4 Carnival cruises. We loved the ship and the crew.

 

Acapulco, we did a private tour with Tour by Van...Rudy. Very interesting, and he took care of us all day long, ending up at the Cliff Divers in the evening. I agree that Acapulco was a huge, crowded city with crazy traffic. Zihuatenejo was probably my favorite port. We went to Paty's Mar Y Mar and spent a fun beach day. Manzanillo, we went to Las Hadas resort and spent the day lounging by the pool. Very pretty resort.

[HeidiHo]

We sailed the Spirit last month (February 2010) and absolutely had a wonderful cruise on her! LOVE the Spirit class ships! The layout is so easy to navigate. You can walk from front to back of the ship on any deck, all the way through ~ I like that a lot. On Conquest class (not sure if Dream is the same) there is a dining room that you must go up and around.

 

I also like the Aft pool area on Spirit class because it is all one flat deck, where you can go right up to the railing and look out, rather than the pool 1 deck below the open deck area like on a Conquest class ship. The main pool area is also a flat deck, rather than the tiered stadium style pool deck.

 

Spirit does not have the fish & chips, or the Seaside Theater. What it does have is probably the nicest crew we have encountered in our 4 Carnival cruises. We loved the ship and the crew.

 

Acapulco, we did a private tour with Tour by Van...Rudy. Very interesting, and he took care of us all day long, ending up at the Cliff Divers in the evening. I agree that Acapulco was a huge, crowded city with crazy traffic. Zihuatenejo was probably my favorite port. We went to Paty's Mar Y Mar and spent a fun beach day. Manzanillo, we went to Las Hadas resort and spent the day lounging by the pool. Very pretty resort.

 

I was on the Spirit with Sue and agree with everything she said (since we were together we did all the same things in port too).

[dclark]

In Acapulco, buy about $100 in pesos, using these instead of dollars is like getting a 20% on everything.

Walk past all the rude, obnoxious taxi drivers in the port areas! Go outside the area and get cheaper cab. We got a cab that took us to the hotle where Weismuller stayed, took pics of us, took us to see the divers, took us to the beach, picked us up and took us to the ship, all for $25 (in pesos).

Ship- go up the glass stairway to the supper club. Look down and you have a view of like 8 floors below you !

Lowlight- tea time! It is in the lobby, very crowded, not pleasant.

Be prepared for first/last sea days to be icky.

[bright eyes]

So we are planning to book our second carnival cruise on the Spirit (Mexico). We have only sailed on the Dream with Carnival. Minus the obvious size difference and passenger count what can I expect to be “missing” or different. I thought I had read that the Spirit was outfitted with a seaside theatre and then I read something else to the contrary.

 

What are the highlights and lowlights of the ship? Is there still a sizable mini golf or is it a lot smaller? Is the casino tiny?

 

The itinerary is different than other cruise lines (which we liked) but there is very little information on these ports over on the Mexican Rivera port of call boards. Any insight into Acapulco, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, or Manzanillo? We will be cruising as a family with younger kids (6 & 11) so not sure what there is to offer. We love snorkeling, beaches, and the like. Not so much “partying”, etc. We don’t have to be someplace “touristy” and can appreciate a more authentic experience.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks in advance!

 

A.

This is my favorite cruise so far. Have gone on it twice. Love the sea days. No negatives as far as I am concerned with the ship. She is also my favorite. Zihauatanejo was my favorite port. Love the little village there. Not too much to do in Manzanillo but enjoyed staying on the ship and having a stone massage that day. We are taking a 5 day cruise on her in October. Lucked out and got a wrap balcony. Hope you have a great time!

[Holmanclovis1]

I have been on the Spirit twice and the same ports. Will be going again Feb '11. The casino is not tiny. It is larger than several other ships I have been on. About 200 slots and 6-8 tables along with craps and roulette. Loved the the ship, loved the crew. Not crazy about Acap. but loved Ziho and Manz.

[crzndeb]

This is my fave ship and going for the 4th time in Oct...also love showering in the spa (no charge), with the multiple shower heads.