Tips for the Spirit

[kapcruiser]

Does anyone have any tips while sailing on the Spirit?

[garycarla]

We have been on the Spirit 3 times. We have enjoyed all the food outlets - okay, not all the pay ones. Great staff and a great time. Take time and sit in the lounges and enjoy the music. Anything in particular you want to know?

 

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[nasvhillecruise]

1. Be sure and go down the spiral staircase in Galaxy of the Stars.

2. The creme brulee & the bread pudding in Windows are EXCELLENT.

3. Be sure & see the chocolate buffet. The chocolate isn't "too die for" but it's more than worth it to see all of the beautiful chocolate creations.

4. Henry's Pub is a nice quiet hangout & has popcorn (which my hubby LOVES)

 

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

[ChristieNJ]

How is the smoke situation on the Spirit?

[Toyz711]

smoking is only allowed in the cigar/smoking room, casinos, cabins/balconies and in certain areas of the top deck. except for the time in the casino, we didn't have smoking near us the whole cruise.

snacks in the casino around 11pm...

for quiet sunbathing, go up to the top deck..nice areas, still gets bar service.

the aft area, between decks 10/12..check it out. if you eat lunch at the buffet, take it out to this area and enjoy a more quiet time with great views.

[ChristieNJ]

smoking is only allowed in the cigar/smoking room, casinos, cabins/balconies and in certain areas of the top deck. except for the time in the casino, we didn't have smoking near us the whole cruise.

snacks in the casino around 11pm...

for quiet sunbathing, go up to the top deck..nice areas, still gets bar service.

the aft area, between decks 10/12..check it out. if you eat lunch at the buffet, take it out to this area and enjoy a more quiet time with great views.

 

Great!! Thanks for the tips & info!!!! :)

[asand5554]

We will also be on the Spirit for the first time in May. What is the Galaxy of the Stars?

[Toyz711]

it's the big lounge...where the "games" are played and has music/dancing some evenings. it has some stairs that very few go down, but interesting stuff awaits.

[nasvhillecruise]

One other thing, & all cruise ships may have this, I don't know.

 

During disembarkation, if you get a porter, they will take you straight through to customs & you don't have to wait in line. We tipped him $10 (for 6 bags, looking back, guess we should have tipped $12). They had 2 customs lines that it looked like was solely for porters. I think it saved us at LEAST 45 minutes if not more of standing in line.

[klct39lg]

I know it sounds silly, but the ice and water on the Spirit are very good.

Creme Brulee with chocolate is divine, I think this is served on the first sea day at dinner.

WAFFLES in the buffet are yummy!

My teen sons loved playing ping-pong, basketball, golf and using the gym.

I enjoyed reading on the Promenade deck. I actually did read, but I was surrounded by nappers.:)

[packercruising]

We have never had to wait in line more than a couple minutes for customs. It goes pretty quick. We never have more than 1 check in and 1 carry on pp so maybe that makes a difference.

[dvrdude]

How is the smoke situation on the Spirit?

 

Christie,

FWIW, I'm a smoker and found the casino and adjoining bar (Maharini's, I think) barely tollerable. I don't know if they were having ventilation problems, or what, but if anyone in your party is sensitive to smoke I'd avoid the whole area like the plague.

[nasvhillecruise]

We have never had to wait in line more than a couple minutes for customs. It goes pretty quick. We never have more than 1 check in and 1 carry on pp so maybe that makes a difference.

 

This was my 1st cruise so maybe it's not always like that, but we were in a line of about 40 people that was CRAWLING. Once we got the porter, we went to a different line that had no one in it.

[Toyz711]

in new orleans, they didn't have the lines well marked...porters this way, without porters that way. we followed the porters line, they waved us through customs...didn't even ask for our customs form. if you get a custom officer that is really checking, lines can back up.

[ChristieNJ]

Christie,

FWIW, I'm a smoker and found the casino and adjoining bar (Maharini's, I think) barely tollerable. I don't know if they were having ventilation problems, or what, but if anyone in your party is sensitive to smoke I'd avoid the whole area like the plague.

 

Yikes, thanks for the tip! I don't use the casino, but Maharini's looked like a pretty cool place to hang out at. I guess we'll have to play it by ear!! Or, nose!! :(

[nasvhillecruise]

Yikes, thanks for the tip! I don't use the casino, but Maharini's looked like a pretty cool place to hang out at. I guess we'll have to play it by ear!! Or, nose!! :(

 

I don't smoke, and it wasn't too bad when we were in there unless there was a smoker at our table. But we were usually early before all of the crowds, so that may be why I never noticed the smoke.