Cruise Log (Very Long): Spirit, 9 day Canary Islands and Morocco Oct 2

[mooline]

Preface: This was our second NCL cruise and we've definitely become fans of the Freestyle lifestyle. We're not partiers or late night people, so can't comment on shows, etc. but we'll give you a little taste of a relaxed "suite life" lifestyle aboard this beautiful ship. Happy to answer any specific questions that CC'ers may have.

 

A word of advice about this itinerary: The ports are awesome, beautiful places, so different from "mainstream" Caribbean destinations. Exotic is the word that best describes this itinerary. HOWEVER: this is a North Atlantic sailing and our Captain confirmed that rough seas are the norm. If you have even slight tendency toward seasickness, GET SCOPOLAMINE PATCHES if you can. Even very experienced cruisers got seasick during this trip. The patch will help you enjoy every moment of this incredible voyage. They surely saved me!

 

Also, because of Mother Nature, we had an "interesting experience" on Day 3 and a missed port during the trip. Despite these, we had a wonderful cruise. Please read on.....

 

Precruise: 3 days in Barcelona

 

Given the unpredictability of international travel, we decide to arrive in Barcelona 3 days ahead of our cruise departure date. Our hotel was the Renaissance Barcelona, an NCL program hotel, though we booked on our own, using Marriott points. With a mild concern for a possible language barrier, (we know very little Spanish and no Catalan) we decided to engage a tour guide to show us the city.

 

The hotel was a fine choice, very centrally located and an easy stroll to Las Ramblas and other sights. Housekeeping services were a bit spotty, had to ask for more than 1 towel, replenishment of soap, etc, though everything was kept very clean. We did have to call and request housekeeping at about 4 pm one day, seems we'd been overlooked. These are very minor annoyances, though. Our room was very spacious with an extremely comfortable king bed, and was on the 6th floor, directly over the main entrance. Surprisingly, we were not a bit bothered by street noise. On our final night, however we did have a late arriving neighbor who decided to have a long and loud phone conversation at 3 am. Ah, such is hotel life! A word of advice: consider springing for a few extra bucks to upgrade to an Executive Room. Though there is no Executive Floor, you will enjoy a larger room, complimentary breakfast at the excellent buffet, and free wifi.

 

We cannot say enough about Nancy Daum Dailey of Enchanting Barcelona Tours. Her (as of this writing) perfect 5 star rating on Trip Advisor is well deserved. We spent 2 full days with her, seeing all of the city highlights, entering attractions with ease and without lines. Nancy provided great detail on the history and significance of every sight we saw. She was an absolute delight to spend time with. We had not used a private tour guide during past travels, but after this experience, I'd very highly consider that for any trip abroad. For those wanting her contact information: http://www.enchantingbarcelonatours.com

 

Barcelona is a beautiful and eclectic mix of old and new, a very clean and well kept city. We're looking forward to another small dose when we return from the cruise.

 

Embarkation Day:

 

Taxi fare to the pier from the Renaissance was €15; it's about a 15 minute ride. We arrived at about 12:30 pm and lines were already forming, even for suite passengers. Check in was easy and we were whisked to the Concierge Lounge to meet Yahira. After a bit of small talk, we were escorted to our Owners Suite cabin, 9708, the Tokyo Suite.

 

The cabin was exactly as I expected from photos posted of the only other Owners Suite on the ship. The half bath in this cabin proved to be very handy, even though there were only two of us traveling. Although Spirit is showing a little age in some places, our cabin was beautifully appointed and updated. With so many sea days in this itinerary, it's nice to have a larger cabin for rest and relaxation. The wraparound balcony is comfortable, spacious for two and very calm, at the aft of the ship. This was our first time in an aft cabin and we'd definitely do it again. However, light sleepers should know that there is very noticeable engine vibration in the cabin when the ship is operating at or near full power. (Fortunately, that doesn't happen often.) This was not a bother to us, but it might disturb some.

 

We enjoyed a fantastic dinner at Cagney's, with sumptuous steaks and a wonderful bottle of 2005 Opus One to kick off our cruise. The wine was perfectly served, decanted and allowed to open in the glass before drinking. Proof positive of excellent training of the servers.

 

Day 2: At Sea

 

Some folks prefer cruises with few or no sea days - if you're among them, this may not be the itinerary for you. There are a total of 5 sea days on this trip. If, however, you're attracted by the notion of 50% forced relaxation time you'll probably greatly enjoy yourself.

 

We're early risers, so brewed up our Lavazza coffee (still prefer good ol'American drip, but you learn to love what you have) and headed out to the balcony to welcome the sun. No wind on the aft and warm air temperatures made for a very pleasant morning. After coffee, I enjoyed the 8 am yoga class. If you sign upon Day 1 for at least 3 of the 4 yoga classes offered during the cruise, you'll pay a mere $10 per class. This offer also applies to the other fitness class series, such as Pilates and Cycle. TRX Suspension, and Body Sculpt boot camp are also offered in a series, with a discount for registering in advance. Prices for those classes are a bit higher. The yoga class runs about 50 minutes. Roger worked out on the cardio equipment while I was in yoga. Hint: Arrive before 7 am to avoid the crowds on the gym equipment.

 

Much of the day was spent relaxing and reading on the balcony, though we did take several strolls around the ship, always using the stairs, for greatest calorie burn. We made a quick stop into Blue Lagoon for a plate of yummy wings and a salad. At 1 pm, we decided to try the wine tasting. For just $15 each, 6 wines were offered, each a generous pour. Refills were available on request. The ship's sommeliere provided a plate of apples, brie cheese (plain and peppered), salt and lemon. Each wine was sampled on its own, then paired with a tidbit on the plate. It was interesting to notice how each taste impacted the flavor of the wine!

 

Following the tour, we made our way back to our cabin, conveniently passing through Raffles so that Roger could enjoy his guilty pleasure, a soft serve ice cream cone.

We dined at Shogun that evening. The food was great and the service very warm and friendly. With an excursion on the docket for tomorrow, we turned in early. A great day all around!

 

Day 3: Casablanca!

 

Full of excitement to step foot on the African continent for the first time in our lives, I was up at 5:40 am. Enjoyed coffee on the balcony, hoping to catch a glimpse of a sunrise as we closed in on the port. Unfortunately, the fog that greeted us eliminated any possibility of a sunrise. By 6:20, I headed in for a refill on the coffee. Then, it happened...

 

The ship began to roll, deeper each time, like a pendulum as it starts to swing. Roger was awakened by the sound of drawers opening and slamming shut and wastebaskets sliding across the floor. As the rolling became more pronounced, each piece of stemware vaulted from the shelves, one by one, like projectiles, crashing on the carpet in the salon. The champagne bucket went over, as did the fruit tray. Several plates broke as they hit the floor. Both of us did what we could to hold other items in place, but the effort was in vain. Glass encircled our bare feet, leaving us no choice but to pick up as many large pieces as possible, to create a safe path to retrieve shoes from the bedroom closet. The swaying was over in just a few minutes, but it took a significant toll inside the cabin.

 

Later, we learned that we were far from the only casualty. Nearly every restaurant lost a large supply of plates and glasses. We were told that the Raffles buffet had so many items on the floor, it looked like a college food fight. The onboard art auction lost $190,000 worth of paintings that fell off easels and were destroyed beyond repair. Works by Matisse and Chagall were among those lost. We learned that the rolling waves were attributed to an unexpectedly strong current and swells at the mouth of the port in Casablanca, a side effect from the major storm that hit the UK. Whatever the cause, it was a surprise to everyone, even the crew.

 

After breafast, we met our Concierge, Yahira for a quick escort off the ship. A green robed man named Mohammed ushered us into a minivan for the Exclusive Rick's and Casablanca tour. It was great to tour with such a small group, only 14 in total. We all chatted together and enjoyed the day. The tour included a visit inside the monumental Hassan II mosque - the inside is a must-see, with ornate carvings and impressive layout. After the visit to the mosque, we drove around the city, marveling at how very wealthy and lower class could coexist peacefully and in close proximity.

 

Our tour stopped at a rug showroom, where we learned of the various rug making techniques. Of course, there was the "strong encouragement" to buy, and two in our group did. What a wonderful and unique souvenir, to be enjoyed now, then passed on through many generations.

 

Rick's Cafe, our final stop, is a replica of the cafe depicted in the movie, Casablanca. Based on the reviews I read on Trip Advisor, I fully expected a lackluster meal with terrible service. This was not the case at all. The food (Sea Bass) was quite delicious and the service even better. The interior of the cafe is exotic and gorgeous, designed to create a true Moroccan experience.

 

Back on the ship far ahead of departure time, we ate in Raffles. Roger is probably the only suite dweller who actually seeks out opportunities to eat at Raffles. We both feel that the food is very good and of course, extensive selections are offered. I'm a fan of the soups; two selections are offered each day. The buffet was not crowded at all, presumably many folks were still ashore. We walked the Promenade Deck for an exercise nightcap, then readied our cabin for the wild ride back through the Casablanca currents. Preparation paid off, as we had no issues. All in all, a great day.

 

Day 4: At Sea

 

We woke to find moderate pitching and rolling motion. Welcome to the North Atlantic in late fall. Thank God for the scopolamine patch, which I'd never used before. However, being an amateur weather geek, I expected rough seas on this itinerary and thought it best to take precautions. Anyone who is prone to even mild seasickness will benefit greatly from the patch on this trip.

 

We enjoyed our morning workout followed by yoga for me. It's always such fun to try to balance when the ship is rolling and pitching. My unscientific and totally made up theory is that you not only experience new physical challenge, but you also burn more calories.

 

Breakfast at Cagney's followed the workout. We've come to love the prepared cereal of granola and berries offered on the cold buffet table. It's extremely delicious and very filling.

 

Despite the wide array of things to do, we spent much of the day reading and relaxing in our cabin. As pilots and sailors, we know that the fore and aft sections of the ship experience the most motion, but we found it quite comfortable in our aft cabin. This is probably due to the larger and more open layout, creating more visual cues for balance.

 

When we did walk around, we noticed several poor souls suffering from the ship's motion, including a few who couldn't quite get to the seasickness bags located throughout the ship.

 

We attended the port talk, which focused on the history of Madeira and the Canaries, and illustrated the many sights on both islands. We had hoped to also attend the Art Auction, but it was cancelled due to rough seas. The art gallery staff explained that the easels just wouldn't stand up to the stronger than expected ship motion. They didn't want to take any chances after the damage encountered the day before.

 

Wanting just a quick bite for lunch, we headed to Raffles to scope out the buffet. The venue was extremely crowded, but we found half a table to share with an older German couple.

 

At 7:15 pm, we headed to the Captain's reception for suite passengers. We met and spoke with many staff members, including the Captain. He confirmed my theory that the North Atlantic in late fall often makes for rough seas. However, this is such a beautiful and different itinerary, the motion is the price we pay to have an opportunity to enjoy these unique ports.

 

After the reception, we headed to Windows for a late dinner. We wanted to try this beautiful restaurant and were very delighted with the experience. I ordered the daily special, an herb crusted salmon, which was tender and delicious. Roger had a pasta dish, customized with grilled chicken. The service was wonderful and we went away quite happy.

 

Day 5: Madeira

 

Fortunately for those who suffered during yesterday's rough seas, the ocean had calmed considerably as we chugged into port. The island of Madeira unfolded before us as the ship sailed in. It's an island of unspeakable beauty, comprised of lush greenery and colorful flowers spilling down upon the lava-formed mountainsides. White and pink homes with clay tile roofs dot the sculpted, green landscape.

 

After downing our new favorite breakfast cereal at Cagney's, it was time for the shore excursion. We enjoyed the "Best of Madeira" tour, offering an opportunity to sample nearly all of Madeira's best sights. We boarded a cable car to ascend about 1,000 feet up a mountainside, offering panoramic vistas during the ride and at the summit. The tour included a stop at a centuries-old church tucked into the side of a cliff, and a once in a lifetime opportunity to laugh as we raced downhill in a human/gravity powered wicker sled. The highlight of the tour was the stop at Eida de Serrado, more than 3,000 feet above sea level. The scenery was nothing short of breathtaking. With even higher mountains around us, we looked down on Nun's Valley, a collection of tiny little villages with only a single road to travel in and out. The tour concluded with a brief wine tasting in the center of town and an opportunity to stroll among the merchant booths before going back to the ship for lunch.

 

Although we arrived back to the ship nearly 3 hours ahead of sail away, Raffles was very busy. I suggested Cagney's to Roger, wanting to at least once enjoy our lunchtime suite perk. But the man loves his buffet, crowds notwithstanding! Conveniently, we found a table right near the ice cream machine, making it simple to grab our daily treat on the way back to the cabin.

 

We enjoyed sail away from our own balcony, with wine and cheese, thanks to our awesome butler, Ravi. It was wonderful to stand on our aft balcony and watch the beautiful island of Madeira slip away.

 

Dinner tonight was ensuite, enjoying a tasty prime rib and a strip steak. The food was just wonderful and our awesome service from Ravi was terrific. Does life get any better?

 

Day 6: Arriecife, Canary Islands (well, almost...)

 

We awoke to rolling seas, similar to what we experienced during the prior sea day. Looking out from our balcony, it appeared that the swells were even larger than before. The CruiseShow TV channel indicated 50 kts of true wind right on the nose.

 

Since our arrival into Arriecife was not until 12 noon, we had ample time for a workout, followed by breakfast at Cagney's. You guessed it! Another bowl of that yummy granola with fruit. We were very surprised by the sparse turnout at the gym and at Cagney's. Seems many people opt to sleep in on this late arrival port day.

 

We also visited the Internet Cafe this morning. Upon embarkation, we bought the 250 minute package for $100, and received 20 minutes free as an Embarkation Day special. Wifi access has helped us stay in touch with family and we've been surprised that the connection is not nearly as slow as we expected. The purpose of our visit to the Internet Cafe today was to provide evidence of "liking" NCL's Facebook page, snagging an additional 15 minutes for free. The offer is per cabin, not per person, and it's very easy to do. If you plan to use wifi on the cruise, be sure to "like" NCL's Facebook page before your trip. Take a screenshot of the page showing that it's "Liked" and show that screenshot to the Internet Cafe Manager. Voila! 15 free minutes.

 

As we steamed toward the port of Arriecife, we noticed that the ocean was, surprisingly, still extremely rough. At about 11 am, the Captain announced that the ship made one approach to the dock, and abandoned it due to high winds and strong currents. "The wind is gusting to 40. I will update you further," he said. At about 11:40, the Captain announced that we would be unable to call on Arriecife due to the conditions, and would instead be spending the day at sea. Although very disappointed that we would not see this mystical land up close, we know that this is a decision certainly in everyone's best interest. Better to deal with disappointment than a damaged ship on an island in the middle of nowhere. There is absolutely no benefit to NCL to cancel a port of call without very good reason. Add the expense of this missed port to the extensive damage incurred earlier during the "Casablanca Swells," and it's likely that the profit margin for this trip has seriously eroded.

 

A few minutes later, the Captain made another announcement. There was a medical emergency on board, requiring evacuation of the patient. We would slow and remain near the port until a medical boat arrived. The evacuation, including waiting time, took about 40 minutes.

 

By 1 pm, the cruise staff had diligently worked to assemble a plethora of additional activities to keep guests occupied during the unforeseen sea day. These included dance classes, art seminars, music programs and more. As we walked around the ship, we noticed special sales in all of the shops and several tables in the Atrium. We also noticed that most guests seemed to be happy despite the change of plans. We did, however, overhear one guest complain vehemently about the deviation, insisting that the Captain should speed up so that she could have a better chance of making her too-early flight out of Malaga. It takes all kinds!

 

Later on, we headed to Raffles (of course). It felt like all 2,000 passengers were there, huddled over tables reading books, and eating lunch. One of these days, I'll convince him to visit Cagney's for lunch. :) Following lunch, reading and a long nap worked just fine for us. By 5:00 pm, the CruiseShow TV channel indicated that the winds had increased to 60 mph, right on the nose. More reading, another workout and a walk around the ship with a stop at Raffles for a light bite rounded out our evening.

 

Day 7: At Sea

 

Seas are still a bit rocky today and the wind continues at 30 mph, +/-. Morning yoga was sparsely attended and the ship seemed very quiet overall until about 10 am. We assume that most passengers were recovering from the late night Halloween party.

 

We attended the "Officer's Profile" talk today. It was a very informative half-hour Q&A session with the Captain, Chief Engineer and Hotel Director. Many questions centered on the decision to skip the stop at Arriecife. Some passengers were obviously upset; judging by a few of the questions, there was some second-guessing of the Captain's decision (Seriously?) The Captain handled the difficult questions with grace and confidence, emphasizing the fact that he alone is responsible for the safety of the ship and all on board. He stated that he knows the ship' capabilities and limitations full well and could not risk docking in the conditions as they were. There was a round of applause after his detailed explanation.

 

After lunch, I went to the Art Auction while Roger attended the port talk. Having never attended an art auction, I wasn't sure what to expect. The auction is informal and friendly. It's a terrific way to learn about artists, art work and collecting. Even if you don't buy a single thing, you'll have fun. Many of the works presented were deeply discounted; there was something for everyone. Several gifts were raffled off, including bottles of champagne, spa discounts, ship photos and more. Everyone in attendance received a lovely unframed serigraph just for attending.

 

The port talk was very informative. However, Roger learned that our Malaga port day falls on some sort of Spanish holiday. Because of this, the Alhambra shore tour had to be limited. No further tickets could be sold and apparently some passengers were very upset. Fortunately, we had snagged our tickets pre-cruise.

 

As evening approached, we noticed that the seas had calmed considerably. At this point in the cruise, we were much closer to the African mainland, which could be the reason for smoother sailing. Whatever the reason, many passengers welcomed the change.

 

Tonight, we chose to dine in LaTrattoria. We enjoyed this restaurant when on the Star several years ago. Earlier in the week, we heard from others who stated that their LaTrattoria experience was terrible on this cruise. We had already pre-booked, though, so decided to take our chances - a good decision! The service was very good and the food was excellent. We had fried calamari, minestrone soup and both beef and veggie lasagna. No dessert for us, as we were full to the gills.

 

When we arrived back at our cabin, we were delighted to find a 40th anniversary cake, compliments of our cabin crew. What a nice surprise and a great way to end another wonderful day on the Spirit.

 

Day 8: Malaga

 

With a later than usual wake up, we skipped the gym and headed straight to breakfast. Ours was an early tour today; at 8:15 we headed out for the Granada and Magnificent Alhambra tour.

 

The tour involved a somewhat long but very scenic motorcoach ride from Malaga into the mountains. There was a brief pit stop along the way. Upon reaching the city of Granada, we left the bus for a walking tour. The tour included an interior look at the gilded 13th century cathedral that houses the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella. Somewhere along the way, we lost 2 passengers from our group. They were apparently separated from us in the street crowds. Much to our surprise, our tour guide seemed nonchalant, stating, "people must watch me." Oh my....

 

We reboarded the coach for a short ride further up the mountains, to the Alhambra. Magnificent does not even begin to describe this city of the Middle Ages. However, what was most magnificent of all was the fact that our lost passengers had found their way, on foot, to the Alhambra! What a relief to all of us.

 

For more than 2 hours, we wandered through the gardens, courtyards, buildings and towers of this incredible setting. We marveled at the expansive views of Granada and well beyond. The Alhambra was a self-contained, self sufficient city and much of it remains. The site was definitely worth the 2 hour bus ride.

 

It was now 3 pm and all were in need of some food or drink. We were allowed 90 minutes to dine and/or shop in the city of Granada. None of us wanted to wander too far, though given what happened to our fellow passengers earlier in the trip.

 

All aboard time was called for 6:30 pm. Leaving Granada at 5 pm meant we'd likely be late. This kind of situation is the reason I'll always opt for ship-sponsored excursions. The added dollar cost, or less sightseeing flexibility is, to me, "insurance" against being left behind.

 

Sure enough, we encountered quite a bit of traffic exiting Granada and seemed to hit every stoplight along the way. 6:30 came and went, and our tour guide's cell phone started ringing. The bus driver, diligent and law abiding to that point, was now exceeding speed limits. In a comedy-like moment, as we entered the port, a horse and buggy pulled in front of us, slowing the bus to a crawl. Several ship staff were waiting for us, none appearing too happy, and encouraged the group to move quickly aboard.

 

Finally back on board, we made a last minute decision to enjoy dinner at Cagney's. Although we didn't have a reservation, we were graciously accommodated. We enjoyed the St Louis Ribs (huge portion!) and a RibeyeSteak, along with the consistently wonderful service of the outstanding staff in this restaurant.

 

Day 9: At Sea

 

A gentle sea, warm temperature on the balcony and millions of stars greeted us this morning, providing a magical start to our final day aboard the Spirit.

 

As usual for us, we enjoyed a morning workout, yoga and breakfast at Cagney's. Most of our day was spent relaxing and packing. :(

 

Speaking with our Concierge this morning, we were surprised to learn that we will not have a priority disembarkation process for tomorrow's ship sponsored tour to Monserrat. Yahira informed us that we should "just go to the Stardust Lounge at the time printed on the tickets." Perhaps this is because we are on a ship tour, versus disembarking for the airport. Whatever the reason, it seems as though our suite perks disappear after tonight; we become like Cinderella.

 

At about 5 pm, the Captain informed us that we will dock in Barcelona at approximately 2:30 am. The early arrival won't change disembarkation times, but it should make for very smooth and simple baggage claim.

 

Our final celebratory dinner was in LeBistro. What a great experience! We opted for the 32 oz sirloin for two, carved table side. It's an up charge of $10 pp over the standard $20 pp cover charge, but well worth it for presentation and taste.

 

Early to bed for us, for disembarkation comes too soon...

 

Day 10: Disembark, to Monserrat

 

With a cabin over the engines, we were aware of docking at about 2:30 am. A beautiful sunrise greeted us at about 6:30 am and we were off to Cagney's for a final breakfast and goodbyes.

 

Disembarkation was extremely smooth and orderly. We quickly collected our luggage and made our way to the ship tour bus to the mountainside monastery at Monserrat. After a 45 minute ride through Barcelona and along winding mountain roads, the monastery rose before us. It is a sight that cannot be adequately described in words or even in photos. Built some 3500' in the sky, Monserrat is an entire community surrounding the focal point of a magnificent, gilded basilica. Whether you are religious or not, this is a must visit location. The entire tour took about 4 hours, with plenty of time to wander the monastery grounds on one's own, taking in the incredible vistas or breathtaking interior shots of the basilica. Everywhere you look, there are intricate carvings and gold leaf and statues so realistic that their eyes follow you as you move. Of course, many come to see and pray to "La Moneta", the Black Madonna dating from the Middle Ages.

 

Following the tour, the bus dropped us directly at the Renaissance Hotel, for our final night on this surreal and most wonderful journey. After a few hours of wandering the city (which now felt so familiar) and enjoying a tapas lunch, it's time to prepare for the transition back to the real world.

[CTCruiser001]

Great review! Thank you for sharing this!

 

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[wilson2579]

I was on your cruise and have to say I was waiting on the Captain announcing 'abandon ship' at Casablanca. I have never been on a ship which listed like that before. I did enjoy my cruise but hubby suffered from the sea motion. I won't do all these sea days again, especially in the Atlantic in November.

Great review by the way.:cool:

[mooline]

Thank you, wilson2579. Yep, the Casablanca Swells had to be experienced to be understood. I do swear by the scop patch now, having suffered in the past. Might be worth a try for your husband, if ok by his doc.

 

Safe travels home!

[wilson2579]

Husband took Stugeron and I wore sea bands. The Stugeron made my hubby sleep most of the day but was nice enough for me to sit on the balcony. Glad you enjoyed your cruise. We cruised the Canary Islands in July and the seas were quite calm, so were quite shocked at the sea swells we endured.

[gra2172]

Thanks for the review. We are thinking of this cruise in 2015. Im sure not going to be doing it in fall! ;)

[www3traveler]

Thank You for this review. I love The Spirit. I have known Captain Vanja for awhile. He is an ultimate professional as well as "An Officer and a Gentleman". He would NEVER put passengers, staff or HIS ship at risk.

[lara_lox]

Thank you for this review, I have been waiting anxiously to hear some feedback about this itinerary on the Spirit before I sail it next month.

 

I have a few questions I am hoping you, or maybe Wilson, could answer please?

- Which nights were the following held on: Dress Up Or Not / Chocolate buffet / White Hot Party / Chef's table?

- Were there any other special themed nights or meals, ie. Indian buffet/seafood display etc?

- Were there any public spaces you would particularly recommend as a good place to read in peace and quiet?

 

Thank you in advance for any info :)

[MJM814]

Can you pls give me the link where you booked this tour? Tx.

 

Michael

[milolii]

I enjoyed your review. We were on the Spirit in August. Yahira was a delight. We hope to sail on the Spirit again did you have Mary Jane and Emmanuel as well?

 

 

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[mooline]

MJM: Rick's and Casablanca was a ship's tour, so we booked directly with NCL.

 

Milolii: No, we had Ravi Shetty for our butler and Robert Ocon for cabin steward. Both were outstanding.

 

Lara, I saved all of the Freestyle Dailies and will scan/post when I get home. The Chocolate Buffet was The second to last night (Saturday for us), Dress Up day 4 (Tuesday) White Hot Day 7 (Friday). There was an offer for Chef's Table, but not sure when that was held.

 

There was a Jazz Brunch for a $15 cover charge, held in the Garden Room, with a live band. We didn't do it, but I sort of wish we had. That was on Day 7 (Friday), 10:30am-12:30pm.

 

Not sure about quiet places to hide, most of the sun decks seemed full as we wandered about. Inside, you could try the little alcove window right beside Champagne Charley's on Deck 8, or the Library. But the Spirit is a peaceful, lovely ship, easy to navigate and explore, so I'm sure there are many other spots that you'll discover as you walk around.

 

Oh, and for any who are interested: there were 2 Laundry a Bag specials on this trip. One on Day 3 (Tuesday) and another on Day 7 (Friday). $24.95 for all you can stuff in the bag. Hint: Roll your clothes before stuffing for maximum capacity. :)

[mcdermott]

Hi

We are sailing this cruise on the 29thNov out of Malaga.

This will be the fourth time on this itinerary and because of this we have booked and outside deck 5 opposed to our usual suite or balcony we actually tried for an inside but couldn't get one other than a guarantee and I like to choose my cabin hence the outside.Any one else on this cruise

[mooline]

Hi McDermott,

 

You might want to try posting in the Roll Call for your cruise, if you haven't already done so. That's the best way to find others traveling with you.

 

Happy cruising, hope you have a wonderful time!

[Keith1010]

Nicely done.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

Keith

[lara_lox]

Hi

We are sailing this cruise on the 29thNov out of Malaga.

Any one else on this cruise

 

Hi Mcdermott, this is the link for our roll call, though most people embark a couple of days after you in Barcelona. We have arranged an informal meet up at 2pm Mon Dec 2nd in Henry's Pub, hope to see you there :)

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1696292

[lara_lox]

 

Lara, I saved all of the Freestyle Dailies and will scan/post when I get home. The Chocolate Buffet was The second to last night (Saturday for us), Dress Up day 4 (Tuesday) White Hot Day 7 (Friday). There was an offer for Chef's Table, but not sure when that was held.

 

There was a Jazz Brunch for a $15 cover charge, held in the Garden Room, with a live band. We didn't do it, but I sort of wish we had. That was on Day 7 (Friday), 10:30am-12:30pm.

 

Not sure about quiet places to hide, most of the sun decks seemed full as we wandered about. Inside, you could try the little alcove window right beside Champagne Charley's on Deck 8, or the Library. But the Spirit is a peaceful, lovely ship, easy to navigate and explore, so I'm sure there are many other spots that you'll discover as you walk around.

 

Thank you so much, I can't wait for the Dailies to satisfy my obsessive pre-cruise planning!

[Marilyn08]

Thank you for your excellent review. It is very thorough. We were on this cruise and really enjoyed ourselves in spite of the swells and missing an island. It was really something to write home about!

 

The food was excellent. Enjoyed the lovely main dining room Windows. The staff was very helpful and friendly. Just wish they had shrimp cocktail for an appetizer. The sherbert at dessert tasted like real ice cream. Delicious.

 

Our balcony room on the 10th level 10036 was extremely small for 3 ladies but we coped well. It was quite a shock at first after having had a junior suite on the Jade a few years back. There were smell issues in the bathroom but the sink was repaired, and they apologized and sent 2 bottles of wine to the room.

 

Madeira and Malaga were beautiful and interesting. Could have done without Casablanca. The weather on those days was great. Don't miss the Cathedal in Malaga. Just Magnificent. And keep a close watch on your items in this area. Had a bag of souvenirs taken at the outdoor cafe.

 

Very happy to have had the opportunity to see this lovely area of the world.

 

If you have any questions, please let me know also.

 

Marilyn

[ridgebackworshipper]

I was on this cruise also and agree with everything said so far. Had the time of my life. I am already back at work but plan on completing a review this weekend.

 

Lara - the chef's table was on the 1st sea day and was $89. some friends attended and said it was a great night. I have taken a photo of the menu but it hasn't turned out too great but will post it when I do my review.

 

Jo

[stubborn peke]

Thanks for a great review.

 

Was it daylight or night time passage through Gibraltar?

 

With purchases on the ship was VAT charge for the whole cruise or only partial?

 

Thanks.

[cabincop]

thank you for the review, I always do Europe in sept-mid october, seas are still relatively calm. I have to agree about Africa I was so happy to see the culture and way people live but can do without the heavy rug sales pitch.

[GLYNAGP]

Hi

We are sailing this cruise on the 29thNov out of Malaga.

This will be the fourth time on this itinerary and because of this we have booked and outside deck 5 opposed to our usual suite or balcony we actually tried for an inside but couldn't get one other than a guarantee and I like to choose my cabin hence the outside.Any one else on this cruise

Hi

We are also on this cruise departing Malaga on 29th Nov along with our 18 year old grandson. we have a balcony cabin on deck 9 as there will be 3 of us we will need the extra space to spill out on when we are all trying to get changed etc etc.

We have also booked this cruise departing Malaga on 13th January, it was such a bargain it just had to be done. As there will only be the 2 of us we have an inside on deck 10.

Glyn

[mooline]

Thanks for a great review.

 

Was it daylight or night time passage through Gibraltar?

 

With purchases on the ship was VAT charge for the whole cruise or only partial?

 

Thanks.

 

Hi Peke,

 

Gibraltar was night, both times. On the way out, it was approximately 10 pm local. I did see what appeared to be "the Rock" and snapped a photo, but it' sharply discernible.

 

On the way back, it was about 2:30 am. My husband was awake and noticed that the Captain significantly increased speed. We could really notice engine power changes in our aft cabin, but I slept through it! :)

 

VAT is charged only in Spanish waters. I actually asked that question directly to the NCL per cruise Concierge before departure. The Canaries are exempt, so the only time you'll see it is when you are inside the Strait.

 

Here is the exact text of NCL's reply to me:

 

Good afternoon Lillian,

 

Spanish VAT required to be charged on sales of the following items only while ship is in Spanish waters.

Sales of food and beverage including bar sales and specialty restaurant cover charges only a 10% charge.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Vanessa K Cruz | Concierge Desk