Spirit 6-14 Review

[Heat Wave]

If you want a review with lots of negatives and complaints…you will need to read a different review.

 

There were lots of signs of 2.0—but it is not fully implemented yet.

Embarkation was no big deal. They handed out groups of boarding numbers to the passengers and my DW and I got number 4. We were on board by 12:15. We were greeted with champagne and crew members were all over the ship offering great hors d'oeuvre's. We had a nice leisurely lunch at a sparsely filled Windows, thanks CC, and then heard the announcement that the rooms were ready around 2 PM. They were ready, but our luggage didn’t arrive until almost 7

PM. No big deal though. Right before we sailed it started pouring down rain. But as we approached the Statue of Liberty, the rain stopped.

 

About our cabin:

We had a balcony state room on the 10th deck. We sailed the Spirit about two years ago to Alaska and we had the same floor plan. It seemed like old times. Back then the balcony furniture was made of cheap white plastic. Now, the chairs are nice blue cloth chairs with a matching table. It was so much nicer. 2 years ago the mattress was so hard we had to request a foam mattress pad just to make it tolerable. Now the bed has a new comfy mattress. I can’t stress enough how comfortable the new mattresses are. Another 2.0 implantation is a bowl of fresh fruit of your choosing delivered to your room nightly. There was a piece of chocolate on our pillows every night and on the final night there were huge cookies on our bed. The missing 2.0 in our room was no bath robes. Oh well.

 

More 2.0

The casino is free drinks all of the time—just like Vegas. You just need to have a free CAS player’s card. Enroll online before you sail, or fill out the short form while onboard. When you order a drink the server will look at your card and make a note of it. If you stay put at the same machine or table, you never have to show your card again. If you move and get a new server, you will have to show your card again. No big deal, after all the drinks are FREE!

At our 1st full day of sea, NCL had a new Monte Carlo night at the casino. That place was hopping that night. There were show girls, a great DJ, a champagne fountain, and door prizes all night long.

 

La Trattoria once a reservation only Italian restaurant, but no cover, now charges $10 per person.

 

There has been much written about the Spirit’s engine and stabilizer problems. Yes, the ship does sway back and forth while sailing but I liked it, especially when sleeping. ZZzzzzz

As far as the engines, they got us to all of our ports of call before our scheduled times.

 

Tuesday-San Juan:

In San Juan we just shopped. My DW loved the Coach factory and walked out with two handbags. We then went to the Parrott Club and had some yummy Parrott Passion drinks.

 

Wednesday-Tortola:

We did the Dolphin Swim. I know PETA doesn’t approve of this excursion, but we had a blast!

 

Thursday- Samana:

We did the Cayo Leventado beach excursion. IMO this is the best excursion deal on this itinerary. For only $33 you are transported to Cayo Leventado for a fun day at the beach. This small island in SamanaBay is a tropical paradise. The sand here is white and powdery; the turquoise waters crystal clear and perfect. There are huts selling handcrafts, a bar under a grass hut, lots of food being cooked outside, and local girls selling massages and hair braiding.

When this excursion was offered on NCL’s website it sold out quickly. However, they added more departure times and we were able to book on the ship the day before we reached Samana.

 

We just relaxed the next two days and before we knew it our cruise was coming to an end. On Thursday everyone could pick up colored luggage tags to exit the ship at different times. The earliest time was for those who wished to take their lugage off of the ship themselves. Debarkation was painless and before we knew it we were on our way home thinking about where we might cruise next. We put down a deposit for our next cruise with NCL’s rewards program while on this cruise.

 

We had a great time and hope future cruisers on the Spirit have as much fun as we did.

[kat89447]

Heatwave, I'm with you. I thought the Spirit was great. I will post a review later myself. We loved the Dolphin Royal Swim and had a blast my DD will remember forever. We did the Grand Paradise Resort in Samana and thought it was pretty great.

I LOVED the side to side sway of the boat and didn't think there was much vibration of the boat. As far as the engine issue, wasn't much of one in my book, we arrived everywhere early and at a nice pace. Not looking forward to laundry, but the trip was worth it.

[Sabeaux]

I have a question...where is the coach factory and how were the prices...this could be an added bonus!!!!

[Zeno]

2 years ago the mattress was so hard we had to request a foam mattress pad just to make it tolerable. Now the bed has a new comfy mattress. I can’t stress enough how comfortable the new mattresses are.

 

This is SO NICE to hear - one of my few complaints about NCL ships were the hard mattresses - we always had to request mattress pads in the past.

 

Sounds like you had a nice cruise! Was there any snorkeling at Cayo Levantado?

[Danvillecruise]

This was my first cruise, we were part of a group of 118, and traveled with my DH and 15 yo DD.

 

Embarkation...easy. There was water, fruit juice, banana bread, cookies available during the wait. We moved through the line to register quickly.

On board, greeted warmly by a hostess with champagne and light snacks. At this point, DD and friends went off exploring and DH, good friend and I did our own looking around. We thought the staff was very welcoming/attentive and answered our questions.

 

Because it was so warm--HOT and HUMID--the muster drill was a bit uncomfortable, but necessary and when it was over we were on to more fun. Our entire group was fortunate to have all luggage delivered by 3. There was a thunder storm in NYC, that was amazing as we were preparing to leave. From the ship we saw lightening hit the Empire State Building and also the top of the ship. What was scary was that there were little kids in the pool, while their parents watched. Truly their choice, but I think a decision to close the pools would have been safer. Just an opinion..... I thought sailing past the Statue of Liberty was spectacular. Call me crazy, but sometimes it is those little things that are pretty cool.

 

About 45 guests from our group ate at in Windows the first night. Mostly everyone had lobster and something. DD became ill...motion sickness during dinner, but a bonine and ginger ale and all was well again.

 

The days at sea were a great way for those in our group to get to know each other & we enjoyed it. I wish I had paid better attention to CC and would have known about the beer card. At $25/6 beers, it was expensive, but our choice to indulge. And it was vacation. Most of the adults in the group did one type of beverage tasting and again, we had a good time and worth the extra $$.

 

Restaurants....

We ate in:

La Trattoria... very good, but thought there would be more seafood/pasta options.

 

Shogun... In one word, OUTSTANDING. From the choices to the service, this was our 10/10. We ordered from the main menu and also from the sushi menu. DD also had them make her lo mein special for her. I. was the waiter and just couldn't have been better. He gets our award for just being great.

 

Cagney's... A 9.5/10. The only things that took away the .5, was our waiter was so attentive to everyone who was dining in his section, that he was a bit distracted at first. When a few other tables left, he was able to relax and we were able to enjoy some great conversation with him.

 

We all frequented the buffet, the Garden and Windows and the bar b que at the pool. Good options on a daily basis, like burgers, hot dogs, tacos, bbq chicken and the bbq pork. Also the wings from Blue Lagoon were a hit, as well as the brushetta panini. The kids in the group also had room service deliver cookies and milk and strawberry short cake---daily. And I am not just talking about the little kids in our group. The big kids, like my DH, enjoyed it too. Since our group was so large, we took buses to NYC. On the way home yesterday, someone said..."Does anyone else miss the banana nut bread yet?". There was a hugh sigh!!!

 

The chocolate buffet. I think it is a great idea, and please don't blast me for this, but I hate seeing large quantities of food go to waste. But some folks stacked their plates high, took a bite or two and walked out. I think that the portions could have been made smaller and served instead of everyone serving themselves.

 

Ports:

OSJ.... We loved it. No excursion planned, so we looked at the map and took off. El Morro was stunning. Also did lunch and drinks and shopped. Heard about it being unsafe. I did not feel unsafe, but also kept to lighted areas and did see much security...with rifles. Outlet and jewelry shopping was worth it. However, much as it is my town, things close up in the early evening. DH put DD and friend's daughter back on ship and then DH, dear friend and I hit the casino. Others in our group hired a driver and went to beach for banana boat rides, parasailing, etc... I think this is one of those ports that you can make your own fun.

 

Tortola.... We also did the dolphin swim. Only complaint was that the power went out when it was time to get our pictures. My issue was not about the power, but lack of trying to get a middle group, so both sides win. When our group asked if we could access our pictures on-line and pay for them...the staff person walked away. When she came back, she said that it wasn't an option. We also asked if they could give us break on the $35 video since we couldn't get our pictures...we were told that the government doesn't allow that. We asked to speak to a manager who was more than accommodating and we were going to be able to view our pictures when we got home and then purchase them that way. They would also send them to us at their expense. In the end the power came back on, and we were told to go the pier and they would deliver our pictures. With minutes to spare (and many of us doubting that they would show) our pictures arrived and we were even allowed to purchase them at a reduced price. I did feel bad because there was another group of 10 who were not able to get their pictures, but we did hear that once home, they could buy them on-line.

I can also say that I think this is some place where an excursion is worth while. I appears that hotels, etc....are coming, but for the most part, this is one place where island living seems to be its best.

 

Samana.... About 100 of our group went to Cayo Lav. Loved it. I think all of the women left with jewelry and wore it to dinner that night. So lots of fun comparing what we got. Great day on the beach and enjoyed a splash of punch with the rum!!! We also collected shells and the kids were able to see large star fish and sand dollars. Great way to spend a few hours. But remember to reapply sunscreen regularly!!!

 

Disembarkation....easy. Have your paperwork, etc... ready and the process moves quickly.

 

Suggestions from our group....

Check your statement every day or every other day and stay at the desk until any mistakes on your statement are corrected. We mainly experienced issues with kids being billed as adults.

 

Rooms were made up promptly...not easy when you have a (teen) DD who gets up late, napped, changed often, had friends in the room, etc.... but the staff did a great job of working around her/us. We had to wonder how they knew that we were out of the room!! We did have to ask for the shower to be cleaned a bit better....and at some point I hope when the Spirit goes into dry dock, they will power wash the mildew/mold out of the shower corners....only major yuck we found.

 

Soda sticker or teen drink card were great ideas.

 

Public restrooms were kept clean and if they aren't, just notify a staff person and they will see that it taken care of.

 

While I am not sad to be home, I can't believe the trip is over.

As I mentioned earlier, this was my/our first cruise. When I asked DD, of all of the vacations and places we have visited, which would you do again. Her answer, definitely a cruise. So last night, I started looking!!!

[Sea Hound]

I have a question...where is the coach factory and how were the prices...this could be an added bonus!!!!

 

No need to go to San Juan! My DW got a Coach bag from a guy in the street in New York for only $30.00!!:eek: She also got a Prada bag for $30.00!:eek:

 

Now -- if only they were real . . . . .;)

 

She gave them to DD to play with!:D

[asand5554]

I have a question...where is the coach factory and how were the prices...this could be an added bonus!!!!

 

I can't tell you exactly where the Coach store is, up one of the side streets from the Del Sol Store that the ship gives you coupons for. As far as the prices, they were pretty much the same as the Coach Outlet store near my house (Wrentham, MA) which I guess is the same as any other Coach outlet. The store seemed a little larger, but that may have just been the layout. They had a large selection, but not worth purchsing for me since I have one so close to home.

Hope this helps.

[Heat Wave]

For Sabeau,

 

The Coach factory is located at 150 Calle Cristo

 

When you get off the pier start walking left for about 5 blocks, turn right on Calle Cristo and go 2 or 3 blocks and it will be on the corner on the left.

 

The selection and prices are great! The normal price on the ticket is in the $350 to $600 range. The factory price is about half of that and there are many items up to 50 percent off of that. My DW picked up her 2 handbags for around $80 a piece.

 

Around the Coach store there are also many other designer stores, but we didn't feel that the deals were as good as the Coach store.

[bethaniesmom]

free drinks in the casino? oh my gosh....how will I keep my husband away from the blackjack tables now?

ready to book the spirit for December! thanks for the info you gave even though we will be on a different itinerary.

 

Beverly

[sailingnut]

This was my first time. I had a wonderful time. I am so glad I had a balcony room on deck eleven. It was in the AFT and I did not hear any noise. The room was beautiful. Every morning, sun coming in. I cruised by myself and met someone single crusing the middle of the week. It was so nice to have dinner with someone the last three nights of the cruise. I went on three excursions. I went on the beach excursion in San Juan and then went shopping, did not want to stay out late due to being alone. I bought a beautiful ring. I did the baths in Virgin Gorda excursion in British Virgin islands and the beach excape in Samana. The beach was so, so beautfiul. I even got half of my hair braided. I am looking to book another cruise next year. I thought on the dawn.

[Chipster2]

Thanks for posting your reviews of the Spirit. It is great to hear that each of you had such a wonderful time on your cruise. Can't wait for our turn!:D

 

Thanks again!

[phillyf]

Thanks for posting your reviews! I'll be on the Spirit this August. I can't wait to go to Cayo Lav, sounds like a beach not to be missed and we are booked for this excursion.

 

Thanks again

[Danvillecruise]

Something to listen for on this one.... Since the Spirit arrived early, there was an announcement made that by the cruise director (I think), that there would be a special tender leaving for CL. The first 60 people that made it to the tender area, would be on it and leaving well ahead of schedule. Because we were going with some other people who were not ready to leave the ship that early, we ended up in the theater...waiting to leave. I had read that this is usually disorganized and it was. We left 45 minutes after our scheduled time. At one point, the person in charge told the center section to come forward. Then she became irritated when there were more than 40 in that group. It should have been obvious that there were closer to 120 and there really weren't any extras jumping in from the side sections. My impression once we got to the tenders, is that people need to put their bags on the floor and not on the seat, which took up some space. Also, some folks just didn't want to sit next to another passenger, so more room was taken up. That said, once you are on your way and you can see how nice it is, that is what makes it all worth while. White sand, star fish, RUM and shopping...makes for a very nice day. Oh one last thing, take a bottle of water with you while you stand in line to tender back. It is hot just standing there.:)