Tell me about the NCL Spirit

[stitchcreek]

Please share your useful tips with me!

 

 

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[Froggitt]

MDR food is usually overcooked and served lukewarm, and the service is slow and poor, so go for the UDP.

[JohnIreland]

MDR food is usually cooked perfectly and served hot. I found the service to be fast and efficient.

 

We did a 9 day with just the included food , no need to go for the UDP.

[stitchcreek]

Haha, mixed experiences on the food then!

 

Is there any food that isn't included in venues aside from the speciality dining? e.g. cakes/pastries in cafe bars, that kind of thing...

 

And a completely different question about the casino - is it cash only and in US dollars?

 

 

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[KeithJenner]

The MDR on the Spirit does appear to get more negative reports than some other ships. However, when we were on it a couple of months ago, the couple of times we went there is was perfectly fine (about the same as other NCL ships).

 

New MDR menus are being rolled out across the fleet, so if they have reached the Spirit yet then it will have changed a lot.

 

Personally, I wouldn't recommend the UDP at all on the Spirit. There are not many speciality restaurants so you would be eating in the same places multiple times. You only need to eat in free places a few times and the savings disappear.

 

There is a cafe in the Atrium, but fleet wide those are changing to Carlo's Bakeries and there is a charge for them. You can get a reasonable range of snacks (cookies etc) in the Buffet and Blue Lagoon though.

[stitchcreek]

Thanks Keith.

 

 

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[newmexicoNita]

Please share your useful tips with me!

 

 

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I don't have any really useful tips, but I can say, the ship is really pretty and very different than the rest of the fleet. Be prepared for small cabins and small bathrooms, . I will add, the bathrooms are very pretty, just a little small for us big girls and boys.

 

The ship is older, don't expect a lot of glitz and glamour, do expect a lovely Asian influence. As for the MDR, it can be hit or miss. We have had some wonderful meals with great service and some not so wonderful. Do take advantage of a few specialty dining rooms. We always like the Asian restaurant and Le Bistro for starters.

[Froggitt]

The MDR on the Spirit does appear to get more negative reports than some other ships. However, when we were on it a couple of months ago, the couple of times we went there is was perfectly fine (about the same as other NCL ships).

 

New MDR menus are being rolled out across the fleet, so if they have reached the Spirit yet then it will have changed a lot.

 

Ive found the MDRs on other ships (Jewel/Jade/Sun) to be perfectly acceptable. Spirit was not as good.....food nor service.

 

Even with a new menu, you can still overcook a chicken breast or a risotto, and bring it out cold. And a new menu wont improve the service or the dis-interested wait staff and their management.

[Froggitt]

And le Bistro and the Chinese were both excellent.....food and service.

[jusstice]

The ship is older, smaller and very different. That being said, she is still my favorite ship. It is much more intimate and the decor is really lovely.

 

As was mentioned, the bathrooms are tight, for bigger folks especially. I mean really tight, to the point where I had to scout out public restrooms on the ship in order to be comfortable.

 

Aside from that, I totally loved her. I stayed in one of the suites, and it was totally gorgeous. I would sail her again, if she was ever back here.

[tmackel]

I sail on the Spirit in September, thanks everyone for the info!

[KeithJenner]

Ive found the MDRs on other ships (Jewel/Jade/Sun) to be perfectly acceptable. Spirit was not as good.....food nor service.

 

Even with a new menu, you can still overcook a chicken breast or a risotto, and bring it out cold. And a new menu wont improve the service or the dis-interested wait staff and their management.

 

But the point is that, whilst you thought it wasn't as good on the Spirit, I and many other people (including someone on this thread) didn't find that. For me it was directly comparable.

 

That's why I'd recommend to the OP that they find out for themselves rather than spending the money on the UDP.

Edited June 12, 2014 by KeithJenner

[Froggitt]

The OP asked for useful tips. I shared mine. I didn't say my views or opinions are the only ones that count.

[KeithJenner]

I didn't say my views or opinions are the only ones that count.

 

 

I'm not aware of anyone suggesting that you did.

 

 

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[luddite]

Our favorite ship.

The decor is unique.

 

Every time you exit an elevator, you are facing aft.

 

The floor drains in the water closet often need a coffeepotful of water to keep a sewer gas ....aroma... at bay.

[mugtech]

If you are going on the 12 day grand med, then the intensive collection of ports and long trips inland will make the dining experiences less important than other cruises. We found that the MDR and buffet filled our needs, while our outside cabin did not appear to be any smaller than the outsides on the Gem. It is a beautiful ship and our favorite. I do not remember any great or bad meals, too much else going on constantly.

[www3traveler]

The Spirit is a wonderful small ship. In Her observation lounge is a staircase going down one deck to the Bridge Viewing room window. The space is also a small museum.

[buckeye82]

Not my favorite ship, but nice decor. I liked how they had the photo gallery tucked away out of the main traffic zone, but on the other hand they had the Blue Lagoon right in a high traffic area off the atrium, so if you don't mind lots of people walking inches from your table, go there! I thought the shows were good.

 

When are you cruising? We went in March and that ship was rocking and rolling. I had never played trivia with a social crew member who was literally green before. Poor guy. Of course my husband didn't look much better the first morning of the cruise. Thank goodness for Bonine!

 

I loved the lounge (Galaxy) up in the front of the ship with the stair way down into the bridge viewing area. Big windows, cozy seating area and interesting things to look at.

 

We were in a suite and it was large with 1 1/2 baths. But it had dark wood and it seemed dark and cold to me. Didn't hate it, but didn't love it either.

 

We had a UDP package and found the specialty restaurants good with the exception of the Italian one.

[fridaythe13th]

I love Henry's Pub. It's a traditional English-style pub with fish and chips, dart boards and beer on tap. It's been awhile for me but they did have popcorn and soft pretzels. There is a door which takes you outside to the Promenade deck where there are (were) a few tables and chairs.

[stitchcreek]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

 

We're doing the Grand Med in summer, so fingers crossed for smooth sailing!

 

 

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[fridaythe13th]

Just remembered about Aquaswim which is two small water "treadmills". They are located in the gym.

[surreyfamily]

While people are kindly letting us pick their brains, can I just check this out..We tried to book a soft drinks package for our 15 year old last night but apparently if he has one we all have to have one? Is that correct? We've done a couple of RCI cruises before and never had this.

Is there any way round this?

[KeithJenner]

While people are kindly letting us pick their brains, can I just check this out..We tried to book a soft drinks package for our 15 year old last night but apparently if he has one we all have to have one? Is that correct? We've done a couple of RCI cruises before and never had this.

 

Is there any way round this?

 

 

I've not had any experience of buying any drinks packages, but have read a few comments on here recently about this.

 

I may be wrong, but from what I gather, if you prebook then it makes you buy the package for everyone but if you buy it onboard then you don't have to.

 

It's probably best to check that I've got that right. If you look at recent threads or do a search then you should find something.

 

 

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[KeithJenner]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

 

We're doing the Grand Med in summer, so fingers crossed for smooth sailing!

 

 

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I was on the Spirit to the Canaries earlier this year. We liked the ship so much that we are strongly considering the Grand Med for next year. It's a great ship and that's a fantastic itinerary.

 

 

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[garycarla]

A great way to learn about any ship is to read some of the reviews in the reviews section here.