Just returned from 7/3 Spirit sailing - any questions?

[kimgoblue]

DH and I have just returned from our 7/3 sailing on the Spirit. I've written a lengthy and detailed review for the Member Reviews section; if anyone has any questions I can answer before it's posted, please feel free to ask!

 

Overall, we had a very good time -- much better than expected! However, I know that others we spoke with on the same cruise had a terrible time -- perhaps I can provide some balance for those of you yet to sail.

[venusjems]

I just read the review of someone on your sailing that didnt have a good time.

 

I find it amusing how when reading reviews, one person will say its the best cruise ever and the next says never again!

 

Hope you had a good time! i still have a long time to go...

[justrache]

How were the seas? Rough? Calm? I am in a forward room on 8th deck for our sailing in August and just slightly concerned about motion.

[kimgoblue]

How were the seas? Rough? Calm? I am in a forward room on 8th deck for our sailing in August and just slightly concerned about motion.

 

I've been on 10+ cruises and thought these were the calmest seas I've been on. I think that might have something to do with being primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, but I don't know that for sure. I was actually a bit disappointed -- I like the rocking motion, especially at night.

[VideoTech]

We're headed for the Spirit this Sunday. Couldn't find your review in member reviews, but did find on very disgruntled review that I think was from your cruise date.

 

What were the problems that cause some to have such a terrible time?

 

We've been on several NCL cruises on all sizes of their ships, including some in the summer, and have yet to have anything but a great time!

[kimgoblue]

I just read the review of someone on your sailing that didnt have a good time.

 

I find it amusing how when reading reviews, one person will say its the best cruise ever and the next says never again!

 

Hope you had a good time! i still have a long time to go...

 

Well, I wouldn't say it was the best cruise ever, but I also wouldn't hesitate to sail NCL again.

[Slark]

Well, I wouldn't say it was the best cruise ever, but I also wouldn't hesitate to sail NCL again.

 

What were your top three likes and dislikes?

[kimgoblue]

We're headed for the Spirit this Sunday. Couldn't find your review in member reviews, but did find on very disgruntled review that I think was from your cruise date.

 

What were the problems that cause some to have such a terrible time?

 

We've been on several NCL cruises on all sizes of their ships, including some in the summer, and have yet to have anything but a great time!

 

I don't think my review has been posted yet -- it has to go through some sort of process of being reviewed by the Cruise Critic folks.

 

I don't know why some people have a great time, others have an OK time, and still others have a terrible time. I guess people's perceptions are as variable as they are!

[Toyz711]

when i did the spirit or any cruise, the reviews are like night/day. one person complains because it was too quiet (not enough late night parties), another didn't like the lack of beaches, someone else complains all the time because the ship is too cold or the food was not to thier tastes. just human nature....take the top 5 and bottom 5 reviews, throw them out and you may have a more real review.

[kimgoblue]

What were your top three likes and dislikes?

 

Likes: The specialty restaurants, the aft deck, the freestyle dining concept.

 

Dislikes: Uneven service by room stewards, noise from neighboring stateroom (not NCL's fault). I have to stretch for a third - maybe kids hanging in stairwells?

[Slark]

Likes: The specialty restaurants, the aft deck, the freestyle dining concept.

 

Dislikes: Uneven service by room stewards, noise from neighboring stateroom (not NCL's fault). I have to stretch for a third - maybe kids hanging in stairwells?

 

Thanks!;)

I am truly looking forward to this one (8/7-14). Simply because Spirit is unique in the fleet, and we are hitting places we've never been as a family. I hope my door gargoyle will ward of the noisy kids!

:cool:

[dasmonkey]

We're headed for the Spirit this Sunday. Couldn't find your review in member reviews, but did find on very disgruntled review that I think was from your cruise date.

 

What were the problems that cause some to have such a terrible time?

 

We've been on several NCL cruises on all sizes of their ships, including some in the summer, and have yet to have anything but a great time!

 

That review was "interesting".

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=85662

 

We had no children traveling with us, but have been on cruises before when school was out.....BIG MISTAKE on this boat!!!! They let the kids run wild and did NOTHING to stop them. They were running up and down the halls banging on doors. My husband had to go to the casino one night at midnight to find the drunken mother of 1 group of children to get her to control her kids of course she did nothing. He then went to security to see if they could help they did nothing "they did not want to make a customer mad". REALLY..they decided to cater to the low class, white trash, who will probably never cruise again vs the folks that can afford to cruise.

[VideoTech]

That review was "interesting".

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=85662

 

Yes, I read that one...and I've certainly seen lots of kids "running wild" on my past cruises, with parents content to do nothing to stop it. I also caught the note of, shall we say, "better than thou" in the review, and judged it for what it said about the reviewer.

 

As others have said, the reviews vary so widely, and it's so true that you really have to ignore the top and bottom and just go for the average when reading reviews. I take them as a rough guide, but I don't worry too much about them.

 

I'm anticipating having a wonderful time on the Spirit next week, as I've done on all my other NCL cruises.

[pimentel7]

Sailed on the Spirit 6/19-6/26/11.

 

Likes

1. Very friendly crew

2. Beautiful ship

3. Cagney's Restaurant

 

Dislikes

1. Cabin very small

2. Buffet food

3. Lack of organized games/functions

[cruiser1955a]

NCL should enforce more control over children who are behaving badly, and are not properly supervised. However, people who don't want to be bothered by large groups of children on a cruise, have many choices of cruise dates when children are likely to be in school. NCL depends on summer months, probably averaging 3-4 paying passengers per cabin, rather than 2 passengers per cabin during the rest of the year, to maintain the reasonable prices we all pay for our cruises. I'd like to cruise in the summer, but I know better.

[Little Stinker]

Sailed on the Spirit 6/19-6/26/11.

 

Likes

1. Very friendly crew

2. Beautiful ship

3. Cagney's Restaurant

 

Dislikes

1. Cabin very small

2. Buffet food

3. Lack of organized games/functions

 

I sailed the Spirit 4/10 -4/17/11

 

Likes;

1. Aft Deck ( Including the buffet food located just inside )

2. Le Bistro

3. Bathroom (BA)

 

West End Beach Roatan!

 

Dislikes;

1. Pub Crawl (Same mixed drink every place)

2. Cagneys

3. Tight Casino

 

There were hardly any kids and a very small handful of responsible spring breakers.

[cheaperts]

The wife and I and 2 teens were on the 7/3 Spirit Criuse, cabin 4479-AMAZING CABIN (post on it to follow, best secret on the ship)

 

I'll be posting a full review of the cruise shortly.

 

Cruise was an 8 out of 10, many may not realize it but the CEO (from underrcover boss) was on the ship, we meet him and all exectuive officers.

 

Crew was the friendliest and most accomadating we have ever had, truely a friendly ship.

 

The itinery is, well, tourist traps. You really need to do your homework and know what your doing each stop, if you wing it its not good.

 

Costa maya if you dont want an organized excursion, the only other real option is going to a "beach club" the beach where the 3-4 "clubs" are is nice and the open bar.....well me made it back to the ship lets leave it at that!

 

Roatan is the prettiest stop, we scuba dived, otherwise looks like you need a planned excursion.

 

Belize-the armpit of mexico, sad country no beach worth mentioning, we went out of the "secure" area, never felt that unsafe, but man depressing 3rd world country, and the tendering is a little irritating.

 

Cozumel, again have a plan unless you just want to shop and go to senor frogs, we fished and the wives did dolphin swims and we all had a great time.

 

Sea days, well the chair hog thing is reality, you better get one early if you want a chair anywhere by the pool.

 

Love the galaxy of the Stars lounge to just sit, sip a drink and watch the world slip by.

 

The bridge viewing area is really neat.

 

the shows were pretty good too.

 

Geurrilmo the bar waiter by pool is excellent, tell him "Don from THAT FAMILY" sent you, he still owes service from all my tips!

 

Was a great week over all, really enjoyed the staff and the ship itself, the ports were a little dissapointing but short of the dive in roatan we were winging it as we always do, and that wasn't good, but we made the most of it, cabby drivnig us around Belize showing us the real city, not the tour, or my wife driving the tender back to the ship-no really I have the pics!

 

Feel free to msg me with question

[leedm]

We sailed the NCL Spirit June 5 2011 and loved the ship. I like the decor, and the layout is easy to find you way around. The main theatre located at the aft of the ship was easy to get to. We enjoyed the Galaxy lounge located at the front of the ship and was a great place to view the upcomming ports. The crew was friendly and the ship was clean. You will not be disappointed with the ship or the ports. I will go again tomorrow if I had the $ and time.

 

leemd

[lfrobison]

My husband & I are going on the Spirit in Sept. for our first cruise (ann. trip). We are debating on where our room should be on the ship. We know we want a balcony, but do you think it matters where on the ship we stay? Also, can you bring your own soft drinks with you? I read somewhere we have to buy a soft drink pass/card when we get on the boat? What are the best excursions at the ports on this cruise?

[kimgoblue]

My husband & I are going on the Spirit in Sept. for our first cruise (ann. trip). We are debating on where our room should be on the ship. We know we want a balcony, but do you think it matters where on the ship we stay? Also, can you bring your own soft drinks with you? I read somewhere we have to buy a soft drink pass/card when we get on the boat? What are the best excursions at the ports on this cruise?

 

We thought our cabin, 11116, was in a great location. It was slightly aft of midship, which gave us great access to Raffles buffet and the pool via the midship stairs, as well as access to the aft deck just by walking the other way down the hall.

 

We brought a case of diet coke for our room, rather than buying the soda card (DH doesn't like diet pepsi). It's easy to do, as long as you remember that the porters won't take it for you when they take the rest of your luggage so it becomes a carry-on.

 

I can't help you with the excursions, since we didn't take any.

 

Hope you enjoy your anniversary trip!