NCL Spirit 11/28/15 to 12/06/15

[kabbpres]

Hi We were on the Spirit and I am going to try and tell some things that went on etc.

Sat Day 1 We parked at Park Port Canaveral on Astronaut Bld. Prepaid and it was fine. A little line for a bus and most going on Carnival so we were the last dropped off. We went to Windows for lunch then the drill right after.

Looked around the ship and found our room 6535. One of the biggest rooms I have been in. There were 4 of us and still plenty of room and the room Steward I Ge De. , was perfect.

Dinner was at Shogun with Grace as the waitress. She was great and the lemon pepper shrimp was the best thing but everything was good.

 

730pm and 930pm the time for all shows. First show was Welcome Aboard Show. It had a few minutes of each act for the week. It was a nice introduction.

Played at the casino and did not really win anything. We had the UDP and never had to wait long for a drink at the bars but in the casino, we never really received service from the wait staff. On all our other NCL cruises we would get one or two casino wait staff and they would bring drinks all week. We also always tipped well but did not get the service this time. And along with that we are Gold Players.

[kabbpres]

Day two, We had a low keyed day. Since there were 4 in the room, I would use the sauna/steam room to relax and shower. ( no charge ) Played in the casino.

We went to the meet and greet and it was a great one. Not a lot of people but the people we met , we ended up hanging with them a lot and learned many things about cruising from them. Really super people. According to the FB director the best mahito (sp) is Jimmy in Champagne.

Had a slot pull and we ended up 15.00 ahead per person.

 

Ate at Windows and the steak was one of the best I have ever had. ( It was interesting I had shorts on at Windows and was allowed in but the next night they said I needed long pants so we had the Garden the rest of the cruise).

The buffet was seafood and was ok for a snack.

We played name that tune everyday at 515pm in Champagne. The first night I met some great people and we teamed up every night ( came close to winning but always one song off). Saw the folks many times and was a great time.

The show was Soul Rockin nights and was very good.

One friend hit in the casino 1100.00 on Banana king. The best any of us did the whole week.

Casino is hot and smokey in some places. Has different slots but not a lot of newer slots yet. They seemed to be adding new machines during the week.

[kabbpres]

Day three is Costa Maya ( one of my favorite ports) We took the 3.00 tram in and went to Crazy Lobster. It is a great place with great service. Had plenty of beer, nachos and free margaritas. You can use the beach chair, table and chairs,kayaks for free. It is a easy laid back place. We met some super people there and ran into them many times on the ship.

We got back for 515 name that tune, 70s again close but no win lol.

Dinner at Garden after Windows said I needed long pants. Again was very good. The Buffet was Mediterranean.

The show was Just magic with Jorgos. and at 830pm The Newlywed game. So funny. 70s disco party later that night.

One note the ship hit some heavy waves several days/nights and from what I heard the the stablizers were not used. It was a rock n rolling ship.

[Medtech2]

Do you have any dailies you could scan?

 

Enjoying your review! We'll be on her in February!

[Keith1010]

Enjoying your trip report.

Keith

[NJLVW]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your review. Love reading when people come back from their cruise as it makes it so much easier to pass the time waiting for mine. :D

[Tyskie]

Thank you! Glad you had a great cruise - nice to hear positive feed-back.

 

Strange that bar wait staff was "absent" - we too always tip well and they are always there with a fresh drink, :confused:

 

We're doing the Eastern Caribbean

48 more days but who's counting - ME!!!

Edited December 13, 2015 by Tyskie

[kabbpres]

Thanks for the good replies. Sorry I do not have a scanner to send the dailies. Would you just want the Whats Happening today?

Today is Georgetown Grand Caymans. It was a cloudy day and some rain on the island. They kept announcing no wait for the tenders but we when got there, a line was forming and we had to wait a while before the tender left.

So we went to Paradise Beach Club( I think). It was 7 mile beach area. Taxi was 4.00 each and maybe 2.00 to get in then chairs,ect were extra. I snorkeled and saw a few fish but I had paid for a trip to Stingray city and snorkeling. Long story short, they were supposed to come at 2pm and pick me up but at 230pm they were not there so I headed down the beach to snorkel where I had before. The guard at the Resort said to go to Port authority and I would get my money back. They did come but after 230pm and I was already gone. I did get my money back and was promised a free tour since I am coming back in Feb 2016. I stopped at another snorkeling site closer to town but it seemed a little far to swim alone. I ended up trying to walk to Smith beach but I was 5 minutes short and decided I needed to head back to the ship. That day I set a record for my phone fitness 23000 steps.. WOW

My friends stayed at the resort and had plenty of beer and said the pizza was some of the best they had ever had. They were worried about me and were watching tenders coming back to the ship. We all got back safe.

I feel that you can get good prices at Grand Cayman for liquor.

The buffet was Oriental that night but we went to the Gardens and I had some chicken that looked like quail ( the smallest breast/leg piece but it was good). More gambling the show was World beat and again really good.

[kabbpres]

Today is Ocho Rios Jamaica

The Spirit parked at a different dock than the Getaway ( the Getaways dock has a lot of shops right there )

We walked off and were bombarded with people wanting to take you wherever. Two of us walked to town and bought several pieces of jewelry. Two of us went on a tour with a fellow named Nelson. He picked up two others on the NCL Getaway (super nice people, a cop from Brazil and his attorney wife). We went to several different places ( white river?, a view of the ship below Mick Jaggers homes, the forest, Dunns falls) all just sort of drive by and stop for pics. Then we went to Bamboo beach. Had a great time there. Snorkeled , swam, just relaxed. The tour was 25.00 each including the beach. I had been to the Blue Hole before and wanted to try the beach. We were going to get some Jerk Chicken but Nelson mixed up our ships and let the others out by the Spirit, we got it correct and went back to the ship. Dropped off our stuff, got a drink then we went back out shopping. Bought a painting (25.00)and some little things.

Dinner was the Gardens again and the weather was rough. They set up the White Hot Party by the pool but I walked out there and the curtains were blowing everywhere. They moved it inside.

The show was Jocka and Maria Aerialists. Super great show.

More gambling and bed.

[kabbpres]

Today is a sea day. It was a laid back day. Some cards, some eating, drinking etc.

We had 150.00 Spa credit and got two pedicures. Really good job and my girl was from Jamaica ( Dadrian Sinclair).

Did Name that tune and again very close but the winners got every song right and even the artists.

At 245pm the International crew show was going on and I try to never miss it. So neat to see the crew doing other things and some really good talent. At the end was Fountains. I love seeing it and the larger ships do not seem to do it.

The show was Elements and a super time and then the end was bringing crew, officers ,etc and the song You are Norwegian Now.

We went to La Bistro and it is a small place. The food was good and service good but neither as good as on other ships. I think part of it was the tables were very close together and just seemed cramped.

80s party at 1030.

[kabbpres]

Today is Great Stirrup Cay I was really excited for this port, as I had not been there before but the weather did not cooperate. It was cloudy all day but I went over anyway. Snorkeled out to the other little island ( rocks and all around it. Plenty of fish there but then when I looked up, I thought I have a long way to swim back. Just took my time and got back. Ran into several groups of people and just looked around the island.

Lunch was good. One place was grilling hamburgers and hotdogs then the main buffet had those plus salads, pizza etc. There are 4 lines in the buffet so make sure you know this, the lines move faster that way.

I think the UBP works there.

Started to head back and got on the tender when a huge rain storm came up. We all were soaked. My friends came in on a tender as we were leaving, I said just ride back lol.

The show was Comedy with Ron Long. More gambling and packing.

[kabbpres]

We had a great time. The food and entertainment were good to great. The casino was tight overall but someone did win 64000.00 on a 100.00 bet slot machine.

Not too much waiting for drinks from the bar. Sometimes we had to wait for a table to eat. (15 minutes).

The ship was rock n rolling several nights and days.

The staff overall were really good. Just not too good of service in the casino.

Buffet desserts were not the best but that helped me from eating them lol.

This other guests on the cruise were really nice and friendly. Overall is was not my favorite but not my least favorite( Epic) either. Just middle of the road. Thanks for reading and to those who post reviews I applaude you. It is a lot of work. Steve

[eddeb]

Love your review, sorta mirrors ours in a way... :)

 

You should have hooked up with Benji in the bar at the front of the casino,

 

he made us great drinks all week.

 

Read our review if you get a chance.

 

Sorry we missed the meet and greet but 10 am doesn't work for us

 

when we go to bed at dawn most days... :)

 

Posting pic from our window at Great Stirrup Cay. (This wasn't in the brochure! lol )

 

Hope Captain Peter will slow down and use the stabilizers,

 

as my family was ill for several days with moderate seas but high winds.

 

2nd time in 20 years we have been ill, but that was running away from a hurricane

and 30 foot seas. They save alot of $$$ by not slowing down and using them, and our new Captain just came over, so lets cut him a break, and hope future cruisers

don't get sick for no reason like we did...

 

Check out our review> Nov. 28> Dec 5th, any questions...

 

Stay safe and have fun. Thanks again for your great review. :)

 

We are the Moore's

Tampa Bay

[kabbpres]

Thanks I read yours and agree. It was a good time overall and heading back in Feb. Great pic Steve

[lynnquenby]

Thanks for the review Kabbpres! We sail B2b 20 feb!

 

Just interested in tender situation for great stirrup cay & Grand Cayman? We have a friend travelling who uses a wheelchair and trying to find out if they are able to make it safely ashore. Is Spirit using lifeboats or larger tender boats?