Carnival Spirit Northbound 8-27-08 review

[DizzyDallasDi]

:D He is die hard and very loyal. If you notice going under the bridge....you can see the brim. DH got dissed BAD while in Ketchikan. We were talking about the weather being extra cool this summer and how depressing it must be. He said.......no depressing would be being a Cowboy fan. It took DH by surprise, but I was rolling.

 

I understand your DH's surprise. My screen name gives away my location and I'm about as die hard as they come...even got a Cowboys star tatoo on my bootie.:D

 

Your review is fabulous and I'm usually a Caribbean cruiser but you may have persuaded me to try Alaska next summer.

 

Diane

[barbevrn]

By this time, it is a little after 7. We had the 8:15 dining time and went to the room to freshen up. We reviewed the capers and indeed jeans were approved for the cruise casual night.

 

Dress Codes For Both Dining Rooms:

Cruise Casual: Spor slacks, Khakis, Jeans (no cut offs), dress shorts (long), collard sports shirts for gentlemen. For ladies: Casual dresses, casual skirts, or pants and blouses, summer dresses, capri pants, dress shorts or jeans (no cut-offs)

 

Cruise Elegant: Gents: Dress slacks, dress shirts. We also suggest a sports coat. If you wish to wear suits & ties or tuxes pleas feel free

Ladies: Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts & blouses; if you want to show off your evening gowns, that's great too!

 

NOT PERMITTED in the dining room on Cruise Elegant nights for ladies & gents: shorts, t-shirts, beach flip flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless hirts for men, sportswear & baseball hats.

 

I'm assuming by both dining rooms they mean Nouveau Supper Club as well as the Empire dining room, since there is only on regular dining room.

 

We dropped by the casino and spent a little $$$ I hit a royal flush on the video poker and won a nice little pot. Had I stayed out of the casino, I woulda been a lot better off.:rolleyes:

 

We were seated at a table for 6 but only one other couple ever showed up. Our waiter said that was normal to have a light showing the first night. The other couple (mainly the man) complained a lot about the food and that they didn't offer what they had seen advertised. :confused: Not sure where it was advertised, but they repeated it several times. This was the one and only time they ever showed up for the assigned seating. Not sure if it was our jeans, that DH likes beer with his steak and they were drinking wine, or as the waiter said they wanted an earlier seating. But, it was a relief for us and we had a table for six for two..:D

 

We spent a litte time on deck, a little time walking around the ship, and a little more time in the casino. Had we not already realized that this was NOT are normal Carnival Cruise by looking at the make-up of passengers, we difinitely knew it when the casino was pretty much dead at 12:30. They went around telling us the casino would be closing at 1am because it wasn't busy. :eek: :eek: :eek: I seem to do my best at the tables between 1am and 3am. Yea, that's it. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.!

 

OOPS, Almost forgot to add that we went up for pizza before going to bed. I wasn't really hungry, but it's just something that has to be done on a cruise.

[kcslim]

Thanks so much for the aft photos!!!! Yes, we have a FUN group going on our Spirit cruise... and those lights are going to be a necessary caution! lol Your photos are just to die for! You ALMOST have me convinced to try Alaska.. ONE DAY... I just am SO a warm weather gal!

 

We all are certainly enjoying this!

 

Karen

[Willie T]

The photos are beautiful, but wheres the palm trees? Where's the tank tops? As you can tell, I'am more of a tropical girl, but loving your review! I really miss this ship. Can't wait.

Please don't tell kcslim and kllund too much, I think they are plotting evil for the rest of us.

[barbevrn]

We traveled through the inside passage. The scenery was breathtaking. It is difficult to describe and difficult to capture on film. It is almost sensory overload to the point that things start to look the same. It is so serene and unspoiled. Something that is so rare to experience.

 

We had planned to sleep in, but I just couldn't do it. I was up around and ready to go.

This was the view from our balcony.......SIGHHHHHHHHH.

 

 

We went to the buffet and found more than enough to eat. I will never understand how someone can come off of a cruise and complain that there was nothing to eat. I think the French toast on a ship is to die for.

 

We spent some more time trying to learn the ship. For some reason we stayed turned around much of the time. Even though the Spirit is smaller than the Conquest, she was harder to get around in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, she is a beauty and the staff was always seen cleaning and painting.

 

It took me a few days to get use to going DOWN to the public areas. The major difference in the Spirit class is that for the most part, the public areas are on decks 2,3, and lido. There are a full 4 decks (almost 5) of nothing but cabins between the Atlantic and Lido decks. The Promenade was located on the 2nd floor and enclosed. The exterior promenade was on deck 3. This was great for getting closer to the water in attempt to see water creatures.

 

Getting oriented after getting off the elevator on deck 6 was really

confusing for us, well me anyway. Due to the cabins alternating being inset to accomodate the life boats, the hallways did a lot of zig zagging. You could not get off the elevator and look down the hallway to get your bearings. It looked the same no matter what. If we got off the forward elevator.....we would have to zig zag about 5 times do go down the single hallway to our aft balcony. I'm not sure this makes sense at all.

 

This sign quickly became our friend. Now, you know why I love that funnel so much.

 

I talked DH into going to the dining room for lunch. The meal was just so so. Nothing to write home about. But, then again.....nothing to complain about either. This was the one and only time we ate in the dining room for lunch. We NEVER went for breakfast. DH hates getting use to new dining companions and "hates sitting with strangers." Grumpy Gus :p I on the other hand LOVE meeting new peeps. We did meet some really nice folks and actually wound up being seated right next to them in the formal dining room. We visited with them the rest of the cruise.

 

I guess I should count my lucky stars that I can get him to the dining room for the evening meal. Sheesh, Ok, ok........I'll quit grumping to myself. In his defense, he does enjoy the going to the dining room at night. He even made the comment that he did not understand why anyone would pass on it. I'm sure he would if he could get a steak to order on the buffet. May that never happen!

[barbevrn]

On one of my trips back to my room, I was greeted by our room Steward, Wayman or something like that and the assistant. I had to sign something saying he had introduced himself. That was the very first time EVER in all my 11 cruises that they came by specifically to introduce themselves or that I had to sign a paper. I guess I'm just too easy because this isn't a deal breaker for me. It was a nice touch, but then again, not necessary IMO. Even though DH was not with me at the time, he addressed us both by our first name from then on. Both of them were always smiling and did a superb job. Can they pick up after you too much:confused: :confused: :p

 

He did ask if there was anything we needed. I pouted a little about no towel animal the first night. He said they were usually just too busy the first night and made sure we had one every night from then on out!

 

I really had not intended to get any drinks in the souvenir cups. But, if you ask for a DOD, that's what you get unless you specify. Who wants to carry it around with them in order to get a couple bucks off the refill? I don't drink that much to make it worth the effort. With luggage restrictions, I didn't want to carry them home. I don't need any more and made an effort not to order any more DOD's.

I wanted a few photos with both of us, so I admit to being a dork. I took my tripod and set my timer. It feels weird taking a picture of yourself. But, hey......it's all in the the sake of recording every moment of the cruise to relive over and over.......Right?

[barbevrn]

We made our way through the inside passage and went to one of the shows by the ships naturalist, Michelle that afternoon. She made announcements through the day of points of interest and wildlife. You could only hear her on the forward decks, in the public areas, if you had your door open, or tuned your TV to channel 15. We COULD NOT hear her with the door closed or on our aft balcony. We did turn the TV on a few times and prop the door, but you had to turn it pretty loud to hear it over the sound of the water back there. And, when she wasn't talking there was the most boring clasical music. Not a little boring but.........like nails on a chalk board. I was able to tolerate it, but DH could not and would not. Everytime I turned around he had it off or on another channel. Grumpy Gus! :p

Cruising the inside passage.

My first whale spout!

My first whale tail

My first bear in the wild

 

My first eagle........can you see it?

[UnclePatNTampa]

Barbevrn, what model camera did you use?

[jrmende63]

Thanks for the review. I am loving it. Hubster and I went on the Carnival Spirit in May 06 to Alaska. We loved it. I have some of the same photos that you have. We will return to Alaska agin. We simply love it!

[kcslim]

Oh Barb.. you are doing beautiful!!! And, I TOO would have wanted pictures taken on the balcony. Good for you!!

 

I've been introduced to the cabin steward before, and sometimes not.. but have always gotten really good service.

 

As far as complaining about the food.. I admit to having a hard time on the Princess last year.. I have allergies to seafood.. and generally, just did not find the food very good. You DH would not have been too happy.. even the steaks were not great. I keep going back to Carnival.. they are consistently good.. maybe not GREAT all the time, but good.

 

looking forward to more. :-)

 

Karen

[ahoys]

I'm reliving last year's Alaska trip through your review. I love it! We were in an aft cabin on the Main deck, and I'd do that again in a heartbeat. Our balcony was covered, so we could stay out there even when it was raining. My DH practically spent the entire cruise on our balcony. Since it was light all night, we'd be on the balcony at 3 am and never realize how late it was!

I'm jealous of your pics of the whale and the bear. We didn't spot too much wildlife while we were sailing. But we sure made up for on our excursions.

 

Can't wait for the next part of your review!

[barbevrn]

The photos are beautiful, but wheres the palm trees? Where's the tank tops? As you can tell, I'am more of a tropical girl, but loving your review! I really miss this ship. Can't wait.

Please don't tell kcslim and kllund too much, I think they are plotting evil for the rest of us.

 

Lets just say, there wasn't a palm tree to be seen. We did see a lot of folks enjoying the pools and hot tubs though. I don't think I've seen so many of the robes used as swimsuit coverups as on this cruise. If you are looking for warm and tropical, you won't find it. If you are looking at the most jaw dropping scenery you have ever seen.........look no further.

 

She still isn't my favorite ship. But, hey.......I'd sail her again, and again, and again.

[barbevrn]

Barbevrn, what model camera did you use?

 

I dropped my camera in May and had to find a new one quick. Knowing that we had this cruise coming up, I did a search on megazoom point and shoots and settled on the Panasonic DMC FZ18. It has 18x optical zoom and added digital zoom that I do not use. It has had a learning curve and is a little harder to use than the compact point and shoot. It also has great 28mm wide angle capabilities.

 

I visited the photo forum here and got lots of pointers and the basics. Thanks to the advice from lots of folks over there, I think I got some decent pictures. Special thanks to pierces. He has so much knowlege and talent and graciously shares both.

 

The camera has the capability of a lot more zoom, but I didn't expand it past the 5mp and 23X zoom. You lose a lot of control and quality. For the most part you can do a lot of the same things by taking your pictures and cropping them later.

[barbevrn]

I'm beginning to wonder If I should have just done a review and put a link to my photos in my signature. LOL

 

I know I like to see photo reviews, but maybe I'm putting in to many? Thoughts?

[s & h]

Love the review and the pics. I have thought about booking a B2B Hawaii/Alaska next year. Your review has pushed me to the definitely side. Thanks, keep it coming.

[DizzyDallasDi]

I'm beginning to wonder If I should have just done a review and put a link to my photos in my signature. LOL

 

I know I like to see photo reviews, but maybe I'm putting in to many? Thoughts?

 

Please keep doing what you're doing. I'm loving the photos!

[barbevrn]

It was VERY cool and breezy on the bow. I was glad that my jacket had a hood on it, so it was tolerable. Even in the carribean, the air blowing of the ocean can run you off the front decks. So, it wasn't much of a surprise and we planned for it accordingly. I also used a pair of cheap light weight gloves. I have no need for them in South Texas and didn't want to go to a lot of expense.

It's hard to do a good size analysis, but sometimes we were dwarfed by the mountains. Again, very hard to capture in pictures.

one of the many waterfalls we saw throughout.

 

The mural running up the entire height of the atrium opposite the glass elevators

 

This was our firsl "Cruise Elegant" night as well as the Captain's Welcome Party. We had to tear ourselves away from the scenery in order get ready. Raymond, our bar service waiter from the dining room had told us to watch for him and he would take care of us. Even though we already knew, he explained that we could order ANYTHING we wanted during the cocktail party. He took excellent care of us.

 

Raymond looked to be about 14 but said he was 24. Such a sweet kid. He said his father had aslo worked "abroad" when he was growing up and he had grown up with mostly female influences. He really was a sweetheart and I don't mean because he brought us drinks. It makes you wonder how many of these folks are 2nd or 3rd generation workers.

 

I ordered the lobster and have to agree that they are getting smaller and smaller???? DH ordered lobster as well as a steak. I had the bitter and blanc for desert........absolute heaven! I saved the warm chocolate melting cake for one of the nights that didn't have any other desert I wanted. I had the creme brulee the first night. It was almost good enough to make your eyes roll back in your head. LOL

 

We listened to the musician in the Casino Bar and gave a little of their money back. Did I mention I shoulda stayed away after my initial win? We called it a night as the next four days were very port intensive.

I got my first towel animal. All was right with the world.

[KLLund]

The pictures with the commentary is my absolute favorite way to read a review and yours is one of the most outstanding I have seen in awhile .. don't change a thing !!!

(and ignore WillieT .. we would never plot)

[Willie T]

I love the way your doing it! It's a pain to have to go somewhere else to see pictures, hard to put with the commentary. Keep up the good work. You have a grumpy gus too? Sista!

[silverfoxcruiser]

Barb -- GREAT!! Silver

[StarryBugg]

I am REALLY enjoying your posts!! :) Thank you!!

[BarbG]

Your review is awesome...you can never use too many pictures in my opinion!!I'm reliving my cruise through you.. but in reverse order. We were getting off the southbound while you were boarding on the 27th. Your pic's are fabulous.

[barbevrn]

Forgot to add that we read in our capers to turn the clock back another hour. This is the first cruise I have taken where they changed the time on the ship. It does make sense ...........all our port stops and deparkation port were in Alaska. So, we are now operating 3 hours ahead of Texas time.

 

We did not plan any excursions in Ketchikan. I had wanted to do a float plane/dogsled/glacier hike, but we opted out. The $550 EACH as well as my being susceptibly to motion sickness in small moving crafts were the deciding factor. I would have been so upset had I gotten sick that early on, especially at the first port of call. I'd done research on the Alaska Boards and had gotten some really good ideas for what to see.

 

The Spirit started pulling into port a little after 6am We had planned on sleeping in since we didn't have anything specific planned. But, once again I could not sleep. What I'd give to be able to bottle the ability to get up at the crack of dawn and stay up into the wee hours at bedtime when I'm home. I find myself not wanting to miss a thing!

 

Ketchikan is known for it's salmon fishing and Tlinget Indian influences. It is built on the side of a steep hillside and most of the houses sit on pilings. Creek Street is one of the most photographed in history. At one time it was the Red Light district, but now has little shops set up in the houses. Dolly's House has been preserved and you can pay to go in and see pictures of the "girls" We opted out of touring the inside, but got a few grins out of the "madam" standing in the doorway. Unfortunately the area at the port has been taken over by foreign investors and Diamond's International abound. Most of that area shuts down completely from late Sept. until May when cruise season starts again***disclaimer***this review may not be 100% historically accurate, but is as accurate as I can recall. So, take it all at face value.

 

We went up to La Playa grill and had breakfast before heading out for the day. There was a visitors information center as soon as we got off. We picked up a walking map and headed off. It was a pretty easy hike around town to the major points of interest. We wanted to see Creek Street, the totem poles, and ride the funicular up the mountain . It didn't take long until I realized that I had forgotten my polaizing filter for my camera and it was pointless trying to get pictures of the salmon.

 

Most of the locals gave directions using "the little white church" as a landmark. Not sure why this picture gives me the warm fuzzies?

This was the trail used back in the day to secretly get to the red light district.

Creek Street

[scperk]

I have begged my DW to do an Alaskan cruise and we checked into the Spirit this summer...We ended up going to Cancun instead but we will be on the Spirit on Oct 18th for the first Mexican Rivera cruise..Thanks for the pictures on the ship...Dennis

[barbevrn]

Ketchikan proved to be a very easy town to walk. VERY! We decided to head back to the ship for lunch and to pick up the filters I needed for my camera. We bought a few gifts for the grandsons before we thought about the luggage restrictions going home, so we reigned that in. We did get them postcards and were directed to the closest postal service using the "litte white church" as a landmark. After reboarding the ship, we had to wait about 10 minutes for the deli to open. I had my second Reuben sandwich and it was better than the first.

I was able to get some good Salmon pictures with the filter.

 

I'd say the Salmon were running!

It was just cool enough that the pigeons took roost on wind protected sides of buildings. We saw this in several of the towns.

 

We decided it was time to to ride the funicular up the mountain and found out it took us up to the Cape Fox Lodge. It was only 2 bucks each and well worth that. A young local woman got on with us and said it was one of the few sunny days they had all Summer so she had called off from work. She was going up for a hike to "the moon" and invited several of us to go. We were in for an adventure, but soon started doubting our judgment when we started going through unmarked trails, over rocks, and through mud puddles. Did I mention I hit the big 5-0? My profession requires fully funtioning legs and arms. She assured us that it was worth the hike.

 

There were some large areas of rocks and boulders up there. I'm not sure if this why it was called the moon, or because it was up on a cliff overlooking the town. Toward the top, she came upon some unknown male companions and invited them also. Once she climbed up on this huge boulder and pulled out a big bottle of liquer, we decided it was time to part ways. The view was spectacular and the walk back was not bad at all.

View from the "Moon"

My best totem impression. LOL

There were flowers everywhere