spirit review May 22-29

[crabbie72]

Just got back from the Boston to Bermuda cruise on the Spirit. First a little about us. There were 9 in our party. Four adults (33-37) and five kids (5-10). Two of us had been on a Carnival cruise before in 1996. So obviously we are not fancy cruise experts.

We loved this cruise. We had a great time, and would highly recommend it. I will write a review of each aspect as I think of it.

 

EMBARKATION

This went smoothly, we waited a little over an hour in line but the cookies and juice were great for the kids and adults. We had one agent check us in which I guess is not normal, they usually only do one cabin at a time. We had three cabins. The only problems were that I tried to buy beer the first night and was turned down because they had me as being under 18. I got it straightened out easily the next day. And our kids got registered to another cabin which affected the picture policy (see later post).

MEALS

We ate the first three meals at the buffet. The choice was good and the kids loved it. The second day we ate lunch at Windows (free of charge) and it changed our whole week. The food was better, the atmosphere much nicer, and the coffee was 100%better than the buffet. After that we would eat lunch at the buffet or barbeque and dinner at Windows.

We ate at Cagney’s Steakhouse one night ($25 per person, $12.50 per child) We had our kids go to Kids camp and went to dinner. The filet mignon was terrific. My recommendation is don’t get the prime rib. They cut it thin and then grill it so its like a steak instead of roast.

We went to the Garden (free of charge) once and was not impressed. I think it’s the same menu as Windows but the atmosphere is not nearly as nice. Windows is impressive, open, classy, the Garden felt cramped.

The kids menu is the same in all the restaurants. Good selection, pizza, spaghetti, burger, chicken tenders. They also serve the kids first which is nice.

The service varied from not so good to great. I would recommend Grace in Windows, she was funny and nice. The last day in Windows our waitress was non existant and we had to ask for our waters to be filled which was unusual compared to the great service we usually had there.

We ate at Blue Lagoon (free and 24 hours) a couple of times. Not really a restaurant per se, but good food and service.

We ordered room service a couple of times (free and 24 hours). Takes about an hour during peak time, but a very nice convience.

One note the macaroni and cheese in room service is not Kraft, it is delicious but spicy, not for most kids, but the adults loved it.

BERMUDA

We had great weather in Bermuda, although judging by the grass it doesn’t ran much. We got a little messed up because Monday was Bermuda Day. If we had done some prior planning it could have been a great opportunity.

The first day we stayed around the dockyard. There are shops with okay deals. There is the fort, and Snorkel Park. We were given free tickets to Snorkel Park which we did the first day. Great Band, bars which we didn’t get a drink because they were $10.50 each. I am very cheap as you will see. We did rent $10 snorkel and mask which was well worth it. It is like swimming in an aquarium. Very cool. There is a water slide but they charge extra for that $2 per slide, so the kids didn’t do that either. The only problem with the beach is that it is very rocky. Crocs made it much more comfortable.

We bought a 2 day bus pass which is well worth it. It allows unlimited use of the buses and ferries.

The next day was Bermuda day. The big events are a marathon and parade in Hamilton which is in the middle of the island. The problem was that the busses couldn’t get through. There was a huge line waiting for the bus so we got on the ferry to Hamilton.

Because of the holiday most shops were closed. If we had planned better I would have loved to have stayed for the parade. Judging by the people lining up it looked great.

After a little while we took the bus to the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo. It is very much worth going to. The kids loved it. The Museum and Aquarium are the best parts but you only pay one fee to get into all three.

We then took the bus to St. George, shopped a little then took the ferry back to the dockyard.

The next day we got an earlier start and took the bus to Horseshoe Bay. Awesome bay. They have free showers, changing rooms, bathrooms. Rent chairs, and have a snack bar. The kids loved swimming. You definately don’t need crocs here, the pink sand is great, the water was great and the caves and rocks are really neat.

We then took the bus to Hamilton and had lunch. it’s a little expensive for people from Maine, $11-18 hamburgers. But probably not bad for city people. We then did shopping for souveniers, good deals to be had if you look around.

Then our party split up. One family went back to the dockyard to go on a glass bottom boat ride. They said it was great, really cool fish and they learned a lot about Bermuda. We went back to the beaches. We tried to go to Elbow beach but it looks like it is only for hotel guests so we went to Horseshoe Bay.

A word about the busses. They are crazy, they will cure backseat drivers and make the rest of us look like good drivers. Also they want you to push the next stop button but you don’t know where you are going. Several times we saw people tell the bus driver where they wanted to go, but the driver forgot. It happened to us as well. The driver says we should have hit the button, but that is the problem.. Anyway he let us off the next stop and told us to wait for the next bus going the other way. While we were waiting we met a very nice local woman who showed us a shortcut so that we could walk to Horseshoe Bay, it saved us ½ hour.

I had hoped to do some shore fishing but didn’t have any time. If anyone plans to there is suppose to be a great spot within walking distance from the ship over to the left.

 

SHOWS

The shows on the ship were very good.

Oh What A Night - a four seasons tribute band was the best.

On the Radio - a dancing and singing show was very good.

The magician was okay, the close up show and workshop was the best part

Broadway was very good also

We didn’t go to the comedy show because they told us it was not for kids.

GAMES

Bingo, we played bingo twice, the second time my friend won so we wound up breaking even on bingo. They really push it and it is expensive. Actually I thought it was expensive but I never played bingo on land so maybe its normal price.

Casino, I played slots and three card poker. Both were fun. The dealers are friendly but you have to watch them with the payouts. I don’t think they do it on purpose, but they do make mistakes. Actually my friend made some guy $1000. The guy was playing the hold em table game and got a royal flush. The dealer paid him $1500 and the guy was getting ready to leave. My friend pointed out it should be $2500, they had to call the boss over and finally paid him.

Quest, this is an adult game (free) played by teams. This was great fun to watch. Definately not for the kids.

KIDS CAMP

The kids camp is divided up by age group and they won’t budge on the age. Also they ask the kid the age not the adults, prevents stretching the age. The youngest member of our group will be 6 in two weeks but couldn’t join the 6-12 year olds. She was too shy to go by herself so she didn’t go to the camp.

We left our kids in the free play part too long the first day and they got bored even though there is a very good jungle gym. After that we made sure they went in for games/activities and they had a great time. There is no kids camp in port during the day or at night.

PHOTOS

They take excellent pictures of you and your group. My only complaint isn’t even the money ($17 for a 5x7), it’s the all inclusive package. For $119 you can get all of your pictures. The only thing is if there is someone in your picture that isn’t in your cabin you can’t get it. We had three cabins so we would have had to pay $360 for our pictures. So we bought about $150 worth of pictures. Our kids(8 & 7) were actually registered to another cabin (because of a mix up when we checked in). So even if my wife and I got the all inclusive we couldn’t have gotten any pics with our kids in it. On the last day the guy said kids don’t count but that is not what the three other people had said, so I don’t know what the answer is.

CONTRABAND

I didn’t realize that I couldn’t have my leatherman knife. They took it at the terminal. I said I needed it for fishing and they said I would have it that night in my room. I didn’t. I checked with security as we were going ashore and the supervisor was very eager to get it for me, I said I didn’t need it right then. Anyway I didn’t fish so I never asked for it again. You do have to get it before you get off the ship, I didn’t and they sent for it with no problem. Next time I will check it in the luggage and there will be no problem I am sure.

Also we brought two boxes of wine (told you I was cheap) and had really planned to declare it and pay the fee (I was going to try to pay only one). But there was no opportunity to declare it and it made it to the room no problem.

DISEMBARKATION

This went smoothly as well. We choose a late disembarkation color code. We had one more lunch on the man, and then sat in Galaxy of the Stars relaxing. Getting off the ship was easy. All you do is hand the form to customs and the ship swipes your card. Your luggage is waiting for you by color coded section and you leave.

SUMMARY

We had a great cruise. The ship was very clean, neat and not a problem to be had. I think a great idea would be to have a kiosk set up were you could see where your fellow cruisers are from, maybe an optional part were you could enter what your reading, etc. and you could post messages for fellow cruisers. Just an idea, maybe some ships have that already.

Great time, highly recommend it.

[crabbie72]

My wife had to have some stitches out on the last day at the ships doctor. There is a flat charge of $78 for medical care which includes follow ups.

 

I also found out that they give free tylenol and dramamine in the medical center. Something good to know. we brought dramamine just in case the kids felt sick.

 

Also watch your bill at the end. We found they double charged us on photos and didn't credit our helmet return. Both things they fixed without hassle, but you do have to check.

[brokenarrowhd]

Glad to read that you had a great time. Thanks for taking the time for a detailed review.

 

Hopefully I will be on the Spirit in September going back to beautiful Bermuda.

 

Welcome to CC

[GinDon]

To crabbie72: We are from Maine, also, close to Augusta. It must be a "Maine" thing, but we are cheap, too! I saw a gorgeous glass blown fish at Glassworks Factory in the Dockyard. It was $350. My husband took a picture of it for me! Oh, yea,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,at the Swizzle Inn we ordered a couple of their fancy rummy/fruity drinks in the souvenir glass. $13.75 each. Ouch!

 

We found Windows great for breakfast, on the sea days, when you aren't in a hurry to eat. If you ask for hot chocolate, they bring you a whole pot, covered, so it doesn't get cold.

 

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. We did too!

[crabbie72]

GinDon you are not the ones that don't ride elevators except for when someone isn't looking are you?

[corinnv]

Hi! We are thinking about this cruise for July. We will be bringing our kids. (5 and 9) I know you said there was no kids club at night. Did they offer a for fee group sitting service at night? I know Carnival and RCI did Thanks!! Corinn

[miss-riss]

Hi! We are thinking about this cruise for July. We will be bringing our kids. (5 and 9) I know you said there was no kids club at night. Did they offer a for fee group sitting service at night? I know Carnival and RCI did Thanks!! Corinn

 

 

We were on the spirit in May. There was night kids camp while at port. During the day, you had to pay 5 dollars an hour, but it did open at night....I want to say it was around 6 or 7 pm.... until 10:30 pm without any charge.

[crabbie72]

Yes, I was talking about the free kids camp. That goes to 10pm I think and not during the day at port. You can pay while at port or after 10pm.

[corinnv]

Excellent! Thanks for the replies. We are working on our summer vacation plans. My husband likes the fact that the ship is in Bermuda for more than one day.

[firefly4423]

glad to hear it was a good time! thanks for sharing it with us.

[OfcSupport]

Thanks for the great trip report. My husband wants to do some surf fishing and I couldn't find any info on it. Did you carry your rods on the ship yourself?

[crabbie72]

You don't need big surf rods. Just 7 foot medium to light action is fine. I brought my own in a golf bag case (hard plastic type), I also packed clothes in there.

 

From the shore they say you will mostly catch small fish, just something to have fun with. Charter boats are where you can catch good fish, bonefish, etc. They will provide rods.

 

I really wanted to take the kids because they love fishing, but there is a lot to do in Bermuda. Maybe next time.

 

As you are on the ship looking at Bermuda. You look to the left and there is a white building looking like a grain silo. A local told us you go to that and walk down to the water and cast out with bait. He said 10lb test line would be too little. Looking toward the same area a little to the right you will see a shop with colorful lights (especially at night). There should be a bait store near there.

 

If you are not shy, when you see the glass bottom boat near the dock ask the man in charge, he is the one who gave us the advise.

 

Have fun

[debjo]

For brokenarrowhd...

If you are thinking about the SPIRIT's 9/18/09 cruise, why not join our Roll Call Board at: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=879480 .

 

Debjo

[wums95]

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[Barb Nahoumi]

Thanks for the great review. My friends & I are considering this cruise for next summer.

 

We all live in Massachusetts, so no flights......just park & sail.

 

Barb

[bike1964]

How is the condition of the ship for being almost 12 years old? Also, can someone tell me what decks have walkways around the outside of the ship. It looks like deck 7 does. Do anymore?

[sottovoce]

Only "condition" problem we noted this fall is a number of large windows with failed seals. Especially true in the main forward lounge on deck 12. Dining rooms are all beautiful.

 

Deck 7 is the only one you can walk completely around. Teak, not outdoor carpet, as I recall. There's a jogging track that circumnavigates the pool area on deck 13. Lots of outdoor seating on decks 10 and 11 aft of the buffet overlooking the kids pool.

[bike1964]

Thanks for the info. We are sailing out of New Orleans on the Spirit to the Western Carib. in Feb.