Spirit 4-15 to 4-12 review

[clm101798]

Well, this was not the best cruise I ever took, but we still had fun. Some things were beyond the cruise line’s control. Other things they could have done better with.

 

We left about 7am on Sunday to drive to NY. The drive wasn’t too bad even though it was raining, until we got onto the last 6 or so miles on the Henry Hudson Parkway which had some flooding so was a bit slow. We got there a little after 11am and had no problems getting on the boat. I dropped DH and DD off with the luggage and went to park. Then we got in the Latitudes line to check in and there were only a few groups ahead of us so it went quickly. Once thru the x-ray machines we had our choice of people to check in with – no line at all. Then it was onto the boat for lunch. We were onboard by noon. Went to Raffles Buffet and there were plenty of tables. Sat down and took turns getting something to eat. By the time we were done eating the tables were getting quite full. It was about 1pm and they say the rooms aren’t ready until 2pm so we started walking around. Then I decided to check the room and see if it was ready early, and it was.

 

We met out cabin steward, Melanie in the hall later that day. She couldn’t have been nicer. She introduced herself and asks our names and which room was ours. After that she would greet us by name whenever she saw us and even poke her head out of a room to day hello to my daughter. She kept our ice bucket filled so we could keep DD’s medication cold and would check with us if she saw us to make sure there wasn’t anything else we needed.

 

We were in cabin 10009. Not recommended for light sleepers. I figured we were safe because the floor above us was just rooms, but I could hear the music every night. I feel for the people on the 11th deck! Of course being in the front of the boat wasn’t the best for rough seas either.

 

The day we left and Monday were terrible days at sea so I can’t really report on much for those days. Captain said on Monday the waves were 50-60 feet. Some of them were quite nerve racking. I spent much of that time in bed. I did get out a little, but didn’t do a heck of a lot. Overnight we finally got to calmer seas. I was surprised that they didn’t have those little white bags by the elevators like I have seen on other cruises. I was told I would have to ask for them at reception. (I wanted one in my pocket just in case…) I mentioned to reception that it would be better to have them out because if someone was going to be sick they are more likely to be able to make it to an elevator for a bag then to make it to reception to wait in line to ask for a bag. I have to admit that the cleaning crew was working hard and did a great job cleaning up after the sick people.

 

Tuesday we stopped in Port Canaveral and we did the Seaworld shore excursion. It was fun but we could have used more time there. On the bus ride we were told to be back to the bus stop on time. The bus would be back at 4:30 and the last bus would leave at 5pm. So we made sure we were at the bus stop by 4:30 because they stressed how important it was to be back there by 4:30. Back there by 4:30 to stand around and wait for the bus to finally get there. Then it is full before we got a chance to get on. We now have to wait for the other bus to arrive and sit on the bus for 15-20 minutes. Going to there our bus was only about ½ full. Going back the first bus was completely filled and our bus had only 3 empty seats. They must have had 3 busses going there, it would have been nice to have 3 going back too.

 

Wednesday we did the Stingray Adventure shore excursion in Nassau. That was fun. When we got back to the boat DD wanted to go to the Kid’s pool, but it was very crowded so she wouldn’t go in. (Plus the water was like ice).

Thursday we elected to stay on the boat and use the pool instead of going to Great Stirrup Cay. It didn’t seem worth it to get up early and rush to get there because the last tender back was 12:30.

 

Heading back at sea was a little rough at first, but not as bad at the beginning. I did notice the white bags around the elevators this time.

 

I had a pretty good week gambling. Won twice at bingo and came out ahead most of the days in the casino.

 

I went to a couple of shows and enjoyed them. I would have to say they were closer to a high school production than a broadway production but still enjoyable.

 

The food was edible. I heard a lot of complaints about the food from other people too.

 

I really can’t evaluate the kid’s crew that much. DD didn’t like it but I should have realized that before going that it would probably happen. She doesn’t like crowds and there were a lot of kids. Plus she is 6 so at the bottom of the 6-9 age group and I don’t think there were many 6 y.o. girls there. Seemed like only families with a 6 y.o. had a boy. She did like the ball pit area though. So we were also limited to doing things that might entertain a 6 y.o…..

 

There were a lot of kids but I didn’t see any problems. We only ran into a pack of teens twice, once in the hall heading to someone’s room and another time I heard them running up the hall calling out the names of the suites to their friends, but they were only there a few minutes. I heard one teen girl tell an adult female (possibly her mom, but I don’t want to assume) that the rest of them (teens?) were up on the top deck smoking weed.

 

I would have loved to use the internet to entertain my DD, but to log in they ask you to put you first initial, last name and 4digit cabin number…..so what do you do when you cabin number is 5 digits?

 

Reception could use some work. Often when I called it would be busy or no answer. Sometimes they had the wrong information. An example was the temporary tattoos. The daily said it would be on deck 12 from 1:00pm -?, and deck 7 from 7pm to 10pm I knew that if we weren’t there as soon as she set up it would be a long line and DD really wanted one. So we were up on deck 12 waiting. 1:00 and no tattoo person….I thought maybe I got it mixed up so I went to a phone to call and check. I was told that the tattoos that afternoon were on deck 7 next to reception. I am assuming that since it was already 1pm that the reception person could see the tattoo booth. Well, you know what they say when you assume… We go down to 7 and no tattoo booth. I ask as reception and they say it is up on deck 12. So we run back up there and get there just as she is starting to set up, so luckily we got to be first. Of course it takes 15 minutes to set up so we still had to wait.

 

I hated the buffet setup. They have ‘stations’ instead of one long line. So instead of a line at each station it ended up being a bunch of people crowded around a station, so no one knew who was first and you had to wait thru the crowd just to see what the station had sometimes. I didn’t like the policy of no trays either. It meant that I had to stick the utensils in my pocket, or if I had no pockets that day I had to stick them under my arm. In the morning I like to have coffee and juice with my breakfast, but you had to make two trips because you can’t carry your plate, coffee and juice at the same time. It was a big pain.

[francina]

Thanks for the review. I guess I am one of the lucky ones you were talking about because my cabin is on the 11th. Did the noise you heard at night came from the deck or the person room above you?

[francina]

Another question. Did you request a refrigerator prior to cruising? You mention that you used Ice to keep your hubby's medicine cold. I had requested one for my mother's insulin.

[clm101798]

It was music from the Galaxy of Stars. Did you have an inside or outside room? Maybe we were directly below the speakers or something.

[CRUZIN TOM]

That's interesting about the noise. That being on the 10 floor that the sound comes thru from the 12th deck. We will be sailing next Feb in 10010 an outside balcony cabin, It will be very interesting if the noise(Music) can be heard.:)

[clm101798]

One night must have been line dancing night or something....I recognized YMCA and Achy Breaky Heart. :)

[pgh]

Cruisin' Tom -

 

The area above the 10th deck, forward, is the Bridge. I've sailed in 10002 and 11516 on the Spirit and never had an issue with noise. In two weeks I'll be below a corner of the casino - should be fun!:confused:

 

Pam

[CRUZIN TOM]

Sounds good Pam have a good trip on "Cinco de Mayo":)

[jentroubles]

Thanks so much for the review. We are on the 6/2 and can't wait (been on the Spirit before) It is great looking to see how things change. My friend just suggested I pack a tray in my suitcase!!!

 

One question--- did they have Wii up and working? If they did, what was the setup?

[clm101798]

I didn;t see or read about it on this cruise but is should be in by then according to their plans.