NCL Spirit Won't Have Kid's Club after Dry Dock

[CoolNickname]

I will be on Spirit in December. I got an email today about the dry dock renovations. At the bottom it says they're expanding the spa, adding dining options, and they will be eliminating the space for Guppies, Splash Academy, and Entourage to make way for these. It says they don't expect many children as they plan to take it to more exotic destinations after the renovation. I don't cruise with kids so no problem for me. but it seemed like others might need to know.

[hamrag]

Yep, it's being marketed as an adults and older kids ship and has been since the news broke in October 2019.

[Markanddonna]

I was on the Spirit in December and thought it was a wonderful ship which will be a perfect adult oriented ship when the renovations are complete. The video game area, which was noisy and useless, will be used for an expanded O'Sheehans. I think it's still called Blue Lagoon. I wish it was staying in the Med!

[dexddd]

Yes, it was called Blue Lagoon and grossly undersized.

 

With all the stuff being added or expanded I was wondering where it was all going.  I thought maybe some of it might eat into the super large casino but not sure if any change there.

[Markanddonna]

They certainly need to do something with the ghastly Majharjah (sp?)Lounge. so few people in there.

[bluesea777]

2 hours ago, Markanddonna said:

I was on the Spirit in December and thought it was a wonderful ship which will be a perfect adult oriented ship when the renovations are complete. The video game area, which was noisy and useless, will be used for an expanded O'Sheehans. I think it's still called Blue Lagoon. I wish it was staying in the Med!

 

It's been renamed as The Local Bar & Grill. The new deckplans for Spirit are out in NCL.com

 

Old:

 

New:

 

 

Edited January 28, 2020 by bluesea777

[bluesea777]

1 hour ago, Markanddonna said:

They certainly need to do something with the ghastly Majharjah (sp?)Lounge. so few people in there.

 

It's been revamped and turned into Bliss Ultra Lounge.

 

 

[vpearlkc]

What a shame. Years ago we cruised twice on the Spirit and the sauna in the spa was open to anyone. No spa pass needed. No doubt this will be gone after upgrade if it hasn't happened already.

[fstuff1]

15 hours ago, CoolNickname said:

I will be on Spirit in December. I got an email today about the dry dock renovations. At the bottom it says they're expanding the spa, adding dining options, and they will be eliminating the space for Guppies, Splash Academy, and Entourage to make way for these. It says they don't expect many children as they plan to take it to more exotic destinations after the renovation. I don't cruise with kids so no problem for me. but it seemed like others might need to know.

 

Seems like they are doing a trail run to compete with the new virgin cruise line, which are all no children cruises.

 

This also hopefully means more size 2 women in thongs on the sun deck

(Heh) 🙂

Edited January 28, 2020 by fstuff1

[CoolNickname]

It sounds good. I'd love to give it a go.

Edited January 28, 2020 by CoolNickname

[casofilia]

Also there is no library or card room on the latest plans I have seen.   Nor anywhere for the computer manager to hang out, not that I can see that there are any computers either!!

[Tapi]

Sounds good, but I’m just wondering what NCL would do if they need to redeploy the Spirit to a more family friendly market. Take for example the threat of the coronavirus in Asia or the ban on Cuba cruises. If a cruise line needs to scramble to redeploy a ship, not having certain facilities may make it harder to find a new home for them. 

[hladygirl]

3 minutes ago, Tapi said:

Sounds good, but I’m just wondering what NCL would do if they need to redeploy the Spirit to a more family friendly market. Take for example the threat of the coronavirus in Asia or the ban on Cuba cruises. If a cruise line needs to scramble to redeploy a ship, not having certain facilities may make it harder to find a new home for them. 

They can bring it to the Boston! I know plenty of friends who would be thrilled with a 2 week cruise to the Caribbean without kids. LOL!

[casofilia]

For those who haven't seen it here is the actual email.

 

Dear Valued Guest,

On February 11, 2020, Norwegian Spirit will emerge from dry dock following an over $100 million revitalization as part of the Norwegian Edge program - an initiative which reaffirms our commitment to elevating the standard of excellence across our fleet. As the most extensive bow-to-stern enhancement in the Company's history, the all-new Norwegian Spirit will feature redesigned staterooms, restaurants and public spaces, including 14 new dining venues, additional staterooms and an expanded Mandara Spa.

 

As a result of the renovation, and commensurate with the more exotic itineraries that the ship will be sailing, dedicated youth spaces and programs including Splash Academy, Guppies and Entourage, have been removed. Family activities will continue to be available on board and outlined in the Freestyle Daily. 

 

We look forward to welcoming you aboard the all-new Norwegian Spirit for your vacation at sea!

 

Sincerely,
Norwegian Cruise Line

[AKR2011]

I hope one day this ship comes to the northeast! NY would actually be a perfect market since two ships are typically sailing out of there already. That let's travelers have a choice, and there are tons of us up there that would prefer to a oid hoards of children, including myself! The ships out of NY already fill well too, so adding The Spirit as a third option would be great too. It probably couldn't do the exotic itineraries, but it would still be exciting. 

[Newly Retired Teachers]

We are looking forward to getting onboard and seeing the changes they have made.  Have there been any pictures or video release from the work being done in dry-dock?

[smplybcause]

No dedicated kid space doesn't equal no kids on boards. It could actually be worse as there's now no area for them to hole up in so they'll all be running around on deck and have their activities out where everyone else is. It'll probably only be a plus if the lack of dedicated space + itineraries actually means less kids are booked on it. 

[Zippeedee]

On 1/28/2020 at 9:29 AM, vpearlkc said:

What a shame. Years ago we cruised twice on the Spirit and the sauna in the spa was open to anyone. No spa pass needed. No doubt this will be gone after upgrade if it hasn't happened already.

The best thing about the Thermal Spa is that the extra cost keeps the crowd down. Quiet, uncrowded, no kids. Worth the price to me. If the prediction about kids running all over the ship because there is no club to corral them, the spa will take on greater value.

[hamrag]

18 hours ago, Newly Retired Teachers said:

We are looking forward to getting onboard and seeing the changes they have made.  Have there been any pictures or video release from the work being done in dry-dock?

All has been strangely quiet, certainly nothing I have been able to find....google only gets you the press releases etc. from October/November 2019.