Carnival Spirit - What are your best memories on her?

[CWcruisers]

Meeting a group of friends on a roll call for a Thanksgiving cruise in 2008 which led to the formation of the Spirit Dawgs. We have sailed together each year for Thanksgiving ever since, adding to our Dawg Pound with each new roll call. In fact, the local chapter of San Diegans are getting together this weekend. The Spirit will always be special to us for creating life long friendships.

 

This year will seem strange, but we have renamed ourselves the Spirited Splendor Dawgs, and in 2013, I guess we'll be the Miraculous Spirit Dawgs. I'm happy we are at least getting a Spirit Class ship back here in the West.

[dezertcruzer]

2004 - 16 days - deck 7 aft balcony going through the Panama Canal. It just doesn't get any better than that!

[idiebabe]

In addition to Alaska on the Spirit we had a great Mex Rev cruise on the Spirit in 2007 with Country Artist Phil Vassar, JoDee Messina and Jack Ingram. Private concerts with only 200 ppl, M&G's, etc....Awesome cruise!!!

[Pee-ah]

Any more?

[CRUZBUDS]

The Captain - Captain Volpi the best, and most accessable we've ever sailed with!

 

We would sail on the Spirit again & again:).

 

We have had the pleasure of speaking with Captain Volpi several times. The first time we were having lunch in the MDR. We were concentrating on our ribs when someone stopped at our table and asked how the food was. We were surprised when we looked up and it was Captain Volpi.

 

Another time that he impressed us was during his speech at the past guest party. There were several US Marines in their dress blues present. Captain Volpi expressed his heart felt appreciation for the work of the the United States military. He then asked the service men to stand and be recognized. The applause was deafening -- remembering it makes me tear up :o

 

[helen haywood]

We sailed on Spirit in her first year. It was my first trip to Alaska. It was my first cruise with Carnival. It was all magical.

[K.T.B.]

I will be able to tell you in 8 days!!

 

And?!?!?!?!?! :D

[K.T.B.]

One other thing I remember when I sailed on Spirit was the CD and her asst. CD. Her name was Shawn and her assistant's name was Shaun! They were hilarious together.

 

The last night on the ship there weren't enough people to do a passenger talent show, so they did a crew revue instead. They ended up doing a skit with them singing "If I wasn't on the seas, I would be doing ______". So you had the lot of them dressed in character of the job they'd be doing. One of the male crew members was a stripper.... :eek: :p But Shaun said he would be a ballerina! So there he was dressed in his pink tutu! :D

 

Easily the best show I have ever seen on a cruise. Period.

[crzndeb]

After a horrendous cruise on Carnival in 1985, in which I swore I would never sail Carnival again, my daughter and I, who would be celebrating her 21st birthday onboard, stepped onto the Spirit in Jan/2003, for an 8 day Exoctic Carib cruise.

 

I had booked an inside room for us, and was shocked when we got on board, walked to our room, and discovered we had been upgraded to a 9A...Yes, upgraded!!! Those were the days. We were so shocked, we didn't unpack for a while, because we kept thinking they made a mistake and would knock on the door at any time to move us...LOL

 

I have only been on 3 Carnival ships, but the Spirit will always be my favorite, and I am lucky enough to be sailing her for the 5th and 6th time on her upcoming repo cruise from Vancouver to Sydney in Sept.

 

Debbie

[JaniceB]

My first aft-wrap balcony, sailing to Alaska from Vancouver, Glacier Bay and the friends that went with us.

[dustyroad]

My first aft-wrap balcony, sailing to Alaska from Vancouver, Glacier Bay and the friends that went with us.

 

now that's a great memory ;)

[TravelerMK]

Sailed with 13 good friends in 2003 and one morning we all got up and put on our bathrobes and met on deck to watch the sun rise in the Carribbean :)

 

Also loved the fabulous gourmet restaurant up at the top of the ship. It was first class all the way!

[2 cruzen]

After a horrendous cruise on Carnival in 1985, in which I swore I would never sail Carnival again, my daughter and I, who would be celebrating her 21st birthday onboard, stepped onto the Spirit in Jan/2003, for an 8 day Exoctic Carib cruise.

 

I had booked an inside room for us, and was shocked when we got on board, walked to our room, and discovered we had been upgraded to a 9A...Yes, upgraded!!! Those were the days. We were so shocked, we didn't unpack for a while, because we kept thinking they made a mistake and would knock on the door at any time to move us...LOL

 

I have only been on 3 Carnival ships, but the Spirit will always be my favorite, and I am lucky enough to be sailing her for the 5th and 6th time on her upcoming repo cruise from Vancouver to Sydney in Sept.

 

Debbie

 

just had to comment on your upcoming cruises....wow...that's some itinerary you have on the Splendor. Congratulations and have fun.

 

In regards to the OP, I loved the "Jungle" area of the Spirit. Our little granddaughter loves gorillas, so it was special to us. Plus, we met a family with a little one-year-old and he loved the Jungle too.

[SoCalSal]

2009 New Year's Eve cruise & BF & I went to the steakhouse on New Year's eve. After a fabulous dinner, our waitress brought me an unexpected "special dessert" on a covered plate. My BF got down on one knee & opened the cover to my "dessert" & there was my beautiful engagement ring! The whole restaurant applauded when I said "yes"!

DH & I are going on the 17 day repositioning cruise from Honolulu to Australia on Sept. 30th to celebrate our 1st anniversary & splurging on an Aft Wrap, can't wait! We will miss her!

[Ms Belvedere]

Captain Volpi... his speech at the past guest party. There were several US Marines in their dress blues present. Captain Volpi expressed his heart felt appreciation for the work of the the United States military. He then asked the service men to stand and be recognized. The applause was deafening -- remembering it makes me tear up :o

 

 

What a class act. Kudos to Captain Volpi and God Bless our Military.

[cruisinthemed]

I love the Spirit...My Hubby proposed to me in the entrance of the chapel in 2010 and we were married on her in Nov. 2011. We have always enjoyed Doug playing in the Casino bar. He would remember us and play "our song" each time he saw us & dedicated it to us.

We cruised on the Spirit on 5, 7, 8 & 9 day cruises. We loved them all, but especially Acapulco & Zihuatanejo(sp). She is a beautiful ship & we have always enjoyed the steakhouse.

I was so hoping to get back on the Spirit before she leaves, but with schedules & hubby prefering sunshine & beaches...we will be going on the Splendor next week.

[chocolate melting cake]

Our favorite memories so far (we'll be onboard for the trip to Australia)

My Wife's!

We had met a blind lady with a huge (looked like a LARGE St. Bernard) service dog, and I had wondered about its "loo"

[Pee-ah]

Any more memories?

[Stokeset]

My birthday is the day after Christmas, and my TA was helping me to find a cruise that departed that day, which was 50th. Spirit was the only cruise ship meeting that criteria. My family left Christmas day for the drive from SC to Miami, spent the night and proceeded the next day to board this beautiful ship decorated for Christmas. And to be on the high seas to celebrate New Year's is still one of my best memories. Seeing all the ribbons, balloons and confetti fall from the uppermost levels down to the main atrium was spectacular. I hope to cruise her again one day.

[dustyroad]

i havent read through all the post so sorry if this has been mentioned. when i stepped into the spirit i could only say WOW as i looked at her beautiful stairway and the glass elevators. it was love at first sight. ;)

[Pee-ah]

So in 9 days I get to sail on her one last time (unless I head to OZ).

 

Not only are we on Captain Volpi's last sailing also joining us for this leg is Butch Begovich as posted on his schedule "SEPTEMBER 11th Join the Carnival Spirit in Seattle to install some of the Funship 2.0 projects and the Comedy Brunch in preparation for their Australian run."

 

So excited to be on this sailing!

[Luckysll]

I have been on the Spirit 6 times (2 Alaska, 2 Mexican Riviera and 2 3-day repos). I feel like it's "my" ship. :D Some of my memories:

 

My first extended balcony - nice having the extra room

My first obstructed balcony - hey, it wasn't as bad as I was expecting

Taking my friends on their first ever cruise and watching them enjoy it (Pia - wasn't that the most glorious day in Glacier Bay!)

Seeing the Spirit the first time she docked here in Victoria

My Platinum cruise was on Spirit and my first time using VIP boarding.

[sunlovingirl]

We did an 8 day Panama Canal cruise on the Spirit back in 2002. It was over Thanksgiving... I was a freshman in college, and we went with some family friends... it was so much fun :)

 

I'll never forget doing a real holiday on the boat... the fanciest turkey dinner I've ever had!

[Tash B]

Reading all your wonderful stories of the Spirit , I am excited its relocating here to Oz , My family and I will be sailing on her in October 2013 .... We are truely excited =) .... just one question does the Spirit have a big screen tv on the top deck ( I ask as our first cruise we went on did on P&O pacific Jewel ) we got to watch movies at night or during the day video clips etc and got to watch the footage from the dvd being filmed on board too )

 

Thanks In advance and Thanks for sharing your amazing experiences :)

[Pee-ah]

I have been on the Spirit 6 times (2 Alaska, 2 Mexican Riviera and 2 3-day repos). I feel like it's "my" ship. :D Some of my memories:

 

My first extended balcony - nice having the extra room

My first obstructed balcony - hey, it wasn't as bad as I was expecting

Taking my friends on their first ever cruise and watching them enjoy it (Pia - wasn't that the most glorious day in Glacier Bay!)

Seeing the Spirit the first time she docked here in Victoria

My Platinum cruise was on Spirit and my first time using VIP boarding.

 

Sandy...

Lol! That day is why I'm heading back in 9 days! Glacier bay is the most beautiful place I have seen!