Carnival Spirit 10/8/22: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

[beanie315]

We just got back on the 6th and did 16 days on the spirit . We loved this ship and never saw a bug . We were on deck 8 .

[momof3cruisers]

On 10/16/2022 at 4:04 PM, Indiansbaseball said:

Oh Lordy…we leave in 5 days for …yep Spirit. I am the worst when it comes to creepy crawly things ! I would move cabins and I would take all OBC offered. Now I’m dreading this cruise 😢

Same!! We are on the 8th floor but way at the back. Good Lord…I will lose my mind if there are bugs in my cabin. I’m not even telling my husband about this review. Hoping we both have a bug free 8 days. Oh heck. 

[momof3cruisers]

16 hours ago, beanie315 said:

We just got back on the 6th and did 16 days on the spirit . We loved this ship and never saw a bug . We were on deck 8 .

Thank you so many times over! I also read jam’s review and they were on for 33 days with no bugs mentioned. I will be saying my anti-bug prayers every night the rest of this week.

[pe4all]

On the Spirit in January.  Will be bringing large garbage bags to put our luggage in under the beds.  Grossed out by cockroaches.  Would freak out if I found one crawling on me - especially on a cruise ship.  

[ShakyBeef]

20 minutes ago, pe4all said:

On the Spirit in January.  Will be bringing large garbage bags to put our luggage in under the beds.  Grossed out by cockroaches.  Would freak out if I found one crawling on me - especially on a cruise ship.  

 

This is a good precaution.  I already do exactly what you describe (sealing the contractor-size clear garbage bags with duct tape at the knot, so nothing is getting in) because of the risk of bedbugs, before storing them under the bed.

 

ETA:  I also do this when staying in the Bahamas on land-based trips.  I LOVE the Bahamas, but, unfortunately, that climate comes with some giant freakin' roaches!😲  And although I've never seen one (alive) in any of my accommodations, I'm not taking any chances.  I don't want that kind of Bahamian souvenir going home with me.

 

I, too, am grossed out by roaches.  So grossed out.  So grossed out that now, just revisiting this topic makes me wonder if 7:30AM is too early to start drinking wine for the day.

Edited October 18, 2022 by ShakyBeef

[pe4all]

37 minutes ago, ShakyBeef said:

 

This is a good precaution.  I already do exactly what you describe (sealing the contractor-size clear garbage bags with duct tape at the knot, so nothing is getting in) because of the risk of bedbugs, before storing them under the bed.

 

ETA:  I also do this when staying in the Bahamas on land-based trips.  I LOVE the Bahamas, but, unfortunately, that climate comes with some giant freakin' roaches!😲  And although I've never seen one (alive) in any of my accommodations, I'm not taking any chances.  I don't want that kind of Bahamian souvenir going home with me.

 

I, too, am grossed out by roaches.  So grossed out.  So grossed out that now, just revisiting this topic makes me wonder if 7:30AM is too early to start drinking wine for the day.

Just sent this thread to dd31 who lives in NYC.  She told me I am spoiled because we are in a "no cockroach zone" where we live - lol.  She said that in her old apt. she was working at her computer during the day and a cockroach crawled across her keyboard and gave her the finger!   I know you can have cockroaches anywhere (and bedbugs - I also inspect the beds when away from home) but I would prefer not seeing them or any evidence of them. I like idea of using the clear contractor garbage bags - I use the black ones.  Will pack the clear ones for January.

[ShakyBeef]

18 minutes ago, pe4all said:

Just sent this thread to dd31 who lives in NYC.  She told me I am spoiled because we are in a "no cockroach zone" where we live - lol.  She said that in her old apt. she was working at her computer during the day and a cockroach crawled across her keyboard and gave her the finger!   I know you can have cockroaches anywhere (and bedbugs - I also inspect the beds when away from home) but I would prefer not seeing them or any evidence of them. I like idea of using the clear contractor garbage bags - I use the black ones.  Will pack the clear ones for January.

 

I like the clear bags because I can see which case is in which bag, for repacking. (ETA: Also, the clear are cheaper than the black because they are thinner, and less plastic, so slightly less bad for the environment, as well.) I also nest my carry-ons inside the larger cases with another bag between them, so that the outside of my carry-on doesn't dirty the inside of my big case.  (yeah, I know, I got issues🤪)  I get the bags from Sam's Cub online.  They don't always carry bags large enough for my giant suitcases in the store, but have a lot more available on their website. 

Edited October 18, 2022 by ShakyBeef

[pirate4me2]

2 hours ago, ShakyBeef said:

 

This is a good precaution.  I already do exactly what you describe (sealing the contractor-size clear garbage bags with duct tape at the knot, so nothing is getting in) because of the risk of bedbugs, before storing them under the bed.

 

ETA:  I also do this when staying in the Bahamas on land-based trips.  I LOVE the Bahamas, but, unfortunately, that climate comes with some giant freakin' roaches!😲  And although I've never seen one (alive) in any of my accommodations, I'm not taking any chances.  I don't want that kind of Bahamian souvenir going home with me.

 

I, too, am grossed out by roaches.  So grossed out.  So grossed out that now, just revisiting this topic makes me wonder if 7:30AM is too early to start drinking wine for the day.

It's NEVER to early to drink wine. Technically it's grape juice, so it's appropriate for breakfast! 

[csm5986142]

4 hours ago, pe4all said:

On the Spirit in January.  Will be bringing large garbage bags to put our luggage in under the beds.  Grossed out by cockroaches.

 

Thank you for the suggestion (I will do this too).  We are on Spirit for 16 days next fall, and I'm ridiculously traumatized by bugs (have always lived in a climate where we just don't have to deal with them very much).

[Retiredmedic]

On 10/16/2022 at 1:52 PM, ShakyBeef said:

Oh. My. Gosh.  I am legit nauseated by your cockroach encounters.  Just one would be enough to freak me out for the rest of the cruise.  But FOUR!!!???🤢🤮  That is utterly disgusting and unacceptable!  I'm no Karen, but I would want a lot of compensation for that horrible experience.  Thank you for taking the time and telling us about it.

In the mid 2000's we actually had to destroy the box on one of our ambulances. Maintenance sent me the video of them cutting it open with a saw a thousand's of roaches running out from between the inner and outer walls of the box.

[Retiredmedic]

On 10/16/2022 at 12:49 PM, natefish95 said:

Let's be positive for once on her and start with...

 

The Good

• The ship-This was my first time on the Spirit class and first time on the Carnival Spirit. I loved the layout of the ship and it never felt too crowded or jam packed (unless you get stuck behind a Berlin Wall-like blockade of scooters and walkers. Let's have some spatial self-awareness puz-lease!)
• Embarkation-I used Verifly, but they didn't bother to look at it. It was still super quick and painless. 
• Debarkation-Again, super quick and painless. I walked off with my bag around 8:45 and it was not crowded or chaotic like it normally is
• Alchemy Bar-Seriously, this was a genius part on Carnival's end. Amazing drinks and amazing bartenders as always. I love craft cocktails, so this is my favorite place on board. Viktor, who just ended his contract today actually, has been on Spirit for almost NINE MONTHS, since before the initial startup in Jacksonville. He's coming to Miracle in a month, so make sure you seek him out. Katiya and Giovanni were the other alchemists and were also amazing. (Gio kept making me a strawberry vodka drink with raspberries that was incredible)
• The Cruise Director Erin-She might be one of my low key favorites. She's not cheesy and doesn't rely on gimmicks or lame jokes to be a CD. She's personable and engaging. Specifically I really enjoyed her during the Military Appreciate gathering and the Love and Marriage show
• The Military Appreciation Gathering-Carnival is the only one who does something like this and it's one of my favorite things every cruise. I love that they have a dedicated event for us to support our military
• Most Food-I'll get into a few notable misses in The Bad section, but by and large, the food was really good. This is super subjective, so I won't drag this out
• Blue Iguana Cantina-these burritos and tacos are always delicious. I had so many this week. The exact number I had is between me and God only
• Chopsticks in the buffet-I love Asian food and eat it frequently at home. Every time I went this food was delicious. I really appreciated all the sauces (including hot oil!!!) at the end of the buffet.
• Steakhouse-A friend graciously invited me to join him in the steakhouse. The food was excellent and the company was even better. The wasabi mashed potatoes are an unusual pairing, but absolutely delicious
• Fitness Center/Spa-I love that this class as a free sauna and steam room in the locker room. I hate the trend of tiny co-ed thermal suites that are an upcharge. I actually used the gym and there was a lot of equipment, free weights, etc. Everything you need for a ship workout. The rower may have been broken or I'm just idiot.

 

 

I'm sure there is plenty more, but that what I have for now. I'll add more when I think of it. Goldfish-like attention span, remember? 

Carnival does do a good job of the Military Appreciation. I did not get to it on my Mardi Gras cuz I was day drinking that day.

[ShakyBeef]

1 hour ago, Retiredmedic said:

In the mid 2000's we actually had to destroy the box on one of our ambulances. Maintenance sent me the video of them cutting it open with a saw a thousand's of roaches running out from between the inner and outer walls of the box.

 

Dear LORD! 🤢  Are you trying to turn me into an incurable day drinker?!?!  I have a high tolerance for and a strong stomach about a lot of things.  Among other "dirty jobs," I was a veterinary farm call and surgical assistant for several years.  I saw a lot of nastiness and often got a lot of it on me.  But roaches.  NO.  I.  Just.  Can't.  

 

Time to open the wine again.

[grantbob]

I just booked a room on the Spirit for Oct. 2023. Guess which cabin I got? Yep, 8118. 🤣

 

Hope they get it straightened out by then.

[ShakyBeef]

3 minutes ago, grantbob said:

I just booked a room on the Spirit for Oct. 2023. Guess which cabin I got? Yep, 8118. 🤣

 

Hope they get it straightened out by then.

 

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[natefish95]

20 hours ago, momof3cruisers said:

Thank you so many times over! I also read jam’s review and they were on for 33 days with no bugs mentioned. I will be saying my anti-bug prayers every night the rest of this week.

I just got exceptionally unlucky. S*** happens. I found a used bandaid in a cabin on Royal Caribbean once, which grosses me out more than roaches honestly. Jam was onboard far longer than me and had no issues like this, so keep that in mind. This was a very rare issue (which was probably caused by my cabin steward not cleaning up leftover dishes from the two day cruise before mine)

[natefish95]

9 hours ago, Retiredmedic said:

Carnival does do a good job of the Military Appreciation. I did not get to it on my Mardi Gras cuz I was day drinking that day.

You can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning. I have my morning drinks (screwdriver), day drinks (something frozen or fruity), and evening drinks (beer or cocktails at alchemy)

[natefish95]

8 hours ago, grantbob said:

I just booked a room on the Spirit for Oct. 2023. Guess which cabin I got? Yep, 8118. 🤣

 

Hope they get it straightened out by then.

Lol you'll definitely be good by then. None of the current crew will be onboard by then. It was a great location! I spent a good bit of time in the gym, sauna, and steam room, which was super close by one deck up. 

[knagl]

@natefish95 I know you reported it to your indifferent steward and Guest Services, but did you by chance fill out the post-cruise survey and mention it? As a near-future Spirit cruiser-to-be, I'm hoping that they take action on this before the problem becomes more widespread.

[momof3cruisers]

15 hours ago, Retiredmedic said:

In the mid 2000's we actually had to destroy the box on one of our ambulances. Maintenance sent me the video of them cutting it open with a saw a thousand's of roaches running out from between the inner and outer walls of the box.

You just made me swear. I shall not repeat here what word came out of my mouth.

[pe4all]

Natefish95 - I really enjoyed your review (less the cockroaches) and look forward to my 8 days on Spirit.  I have an extended balcony (6232) and plan on spending a lot of time on it.  Got the cruise for an incredible casino rate including drinks all over the ship, so no matter what happens (except cockroaches!) we plan on having a great cruise.

[grantbob]

10 hours ago, natefish95 said:

It was a great location! I spent a good bit of time in the gym, sauna, and steam room, which was super close by one deck up. 

 

After first trying that location several years ago, it is now our favorite. We always try to book forward and close to the Lido as possible.

[DCDragonfly]

"Tell us of the accommodations in steerage, Mr. Dawson.  I hear they are quite good on this ship."

 

"The best I've seen, ma'am.  Hardly any rats."

Edited October 19, 2022 by DCDragonfly

[knagl]

13 hours ago, pe4all said:

I... look forward to my 8 days on Spirit.  I have an extended balcony (6232) and plan on spending a lot of time on it. 

 

Coincidentally I just got an upgrade offer I couldn't refuse and I'm now in 6232 in December! The balcony looks incredible.

[pe4all]

10 hours ago, knagl said:

 

Coincidentally I just got an upgrade offer I couldn't refuse and I'm now in 6232 in December! The balcony looks incredible.

It is!  I have had this balcony on a few ships, and it is really something compared to the other balconies.  Enjoy!

[Crusin Karen]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the Spirit.  Wish she'd come to my homeport in NY.  I have never seen a cockroach in my life.  I do not intend to.  I would need psychiatric care if I even SAW one in my cabin.  If it crawled on me you'd need to put me in a straight jacket and haul me away.  Shaky Beef, I'll join you with my bottle of wine....make that a gallon jug of it. 🥺