Welcome home, Nov. 28-Dec. 3 Spirit cruisers!

[DavidNDC]

If anyone on this cruise is lurking, we'd love to hear details! How was the weather, the food, the ship, the shore? How was everything???

 

(anxious NCL Spirit Jan. 2 cruiser, same itinerary!)

[happytogoing]

I'll write a longer review when I've unpacked!

 

But here is a teaser... your questions

 

Weather: The weather was spectacular, apart from the last sea day was cloudy and windy in the afternoon.

 

Food: The food exceded my expectations. The dining rooms were lovely, Menus were interesting, the "cooking light" meals were extraordinary, the service was quick (contrary to reviews I have read), we never waited for a table, and the Raffles Buffet was about a thousand times better than I expected it to be based on reviews I had read.

 

Ship: I found it to be absolutely beautiful. If you have not seen the slide shows that are posted here and there on this site, I will repost the link, the ship really is spectacular. The amenities are lovely.

 

Shore: Grand Cayman is still clearly devastated by Hurrican Ivan, the terraiin is so damaged. Still the tour we took (ship tour, where we rode in a very nice mini-van, no cattle herding involved) stingray city was fully operational and great).... Roatan is incredibly beautiful and the people are warm and hospitable. I'll post more in review. It is a third world country, so this was also an eye-opener for me in terms of travel.

 

We certainly heard a few others who had some problems or complaints (not too many) but for my husband and myself, it was absolutely wonderful.

 

Full review to follow.

 

Joanne

[happytogoing]

P.S. Andrea (Spiritedmom) arranged for a "cruise critics" meeting, which NCL accomodated. The cruise director, the Hotel Director and the Food and Beverage Director, met with us, answered questions about the ship, the history etc...

 

They spoke of some of the challenges that "Spirit" has faced with the lay-out etc, and what will happen to the Spirit in drydock...

 

Very interesting....

 

Thanks to Andrea..... I enjoyed that very much, and it was great to meet some fellow cc'ers.... some of them will hopefully post as well !!!

[DavidNDC]

Joanne:

 

Thanks and welcome back! I look forward to your review! Sorry about the weather on your last day. But I guess it beats a snowstorm in the midwest!

 

:)

[susanv64]

Joanne...Can you elaborate on what they said would be happening to the Spirit while in drydock? Thanks!!!

[happytogoing]

Well, a lot of the drydock stuff is to do with the electrical (change to 110 voltage instead of the way the ship is wired)... and galley improvements, ie to get more kitchen equip. closer to Raffles, the buffet, right now it does not have a galley nearby.

 

Most changes are to better reflect the North American Market, instead of Asia, where the ship was built, so:

 

- more deck space/room with Windows.. for viewing, more gift shop space (very limited now), making "Le Bisto" more fitting with the signature decor elsewhere in NCl (present room was a Chinese restaurant in Superstar Leo).

 

- increase to Blue Lagoon area, and something about a possible change to traffic flow through this area...

 

- less karioke rooms, mah jong room, less casino space (some empty space now is not being used at all), there was something about the lap pools / spa, can't remember what, also there may be some traffic flow changes

 

They are keeping the Grand Centrum (beautiful, but takes up a lot of space), and I'm pretty sure they said they will be keeping the Asian influence and the beautiful artwork, etc... and decor that is on Spirit now. Possible revisions to the child care area and to the Arcade (which is very large).

 

Not sure about the bedspreads !!! ;) They were non-committal about that !!!

 

Others may remember more than me!!!

[susanv64]

Thank you so much for the detailed answer! I really appreciate it. One other thing...Do you know when she is scheduled to be in dry dock?

 

I'm so happy to be reading so many positive things about the Spirit, as we will be taking her to Alaska next September. Thanks again, for your information!!!