NCL...Spirit 3/26...just wasn't for us.

First, I just want to say that my sister and I sailed this week and overall, we had a lot of laughs and a really good time but will not sail NCL again.

 

There were just too many negatives that outweighed the positives and we cancelled our Hawaii cruise (with our husbands) on Pride of America for 1/07 when we got home.

 

I don't want to offend NCL lovers but we met lots of people who were quite disappointed with the cruise. It seemed that everyone we talked to said they'd never sail NCL again...some were veteran cruisers, some were first timers.

 

We thought the service was adequate, although it seemed that the crew were never friendlier than they had to be.

 

Good and bad points to the freestyle dining. Still not sure if I like the concept...

 

Drinks were "measured" by the shot..so tacky.

 

Balcony cabin (11028) was the smallest room I've ever been in...no refrigerator, no room to move and never a bucket of ice, even though we pre-tipped and requested ice every day. Never happened.

 

Saw one show...pitifully embarrassing ..so never went to another.

 

Was really surprised that everyone raved about the decor of the ship. We thought it was the ugliest we've ever seen.

 

Food was OK..no complaints. We ate in a different place every night...loved Cagney's and Le Bistro.

 

As stated, we still had a nice time. Weather was great. It was my 13th cruise and least favorite to date. I REALLY wish I could say I liked it more because the NY port is in my favor (no flying) but I wouldn't sail NCL again, even if it was for free.

Hi I read your post It made me feel really bad sorry you had a bad cruise.

My family and I are going on the Spirit in July. It will be our first cruise.

I will see first hand on how good or bad a cruise will be for us.

I had read both the positive and the negative about NCL Spirit

and I decided to just go and find out for myself what it is like.

Hope you have a better cruise next time if you ever go again.

 

Lady

I'm really sorry you weren't satisfied with NCL or the Spirit. Our experiences have been just the opposite. We love NCL and the freestyle cruising concept, and we certainly loved the Spirit last fall. We had nothing but top notch service from all of the crew we dealt with.

 

The shows we had were very good....especially the ventriloquist and the comedian. Must not be a good grouping of entertainers right now.

 

While I would not decorate my home like the Spirit is decorated, I thought the ship was beautiful with its Asian decor.

 

But we're all entitled to our own opinions and we all have to remember that's just what it is - opinions - not right or wrong.

 

I'm glad you had a good time overall though - sounds like you made the best of it.

 

Hikini:D

Drinks were "measured" by the shot..so tacky.

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the Spirit. Thankfully there are many options in cruising so you can find exactly what you want. I hope the next one is better. :) I do have a question about this statement you made. Why is it tacky to measure out shots? Every bar I've been to in Denver does this so it's not just a cruise ship thing. But why is it tacky? That's how they make sure they aren't making drinks too strong or too weak and also for inventory's sake. They need to know how many shots per bottle in order to have the right amount on hand. Anyway...just curious why it's tacky to you.

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the Spirit. Thankfully there are many options in cruising so you can find exactly what you want. I hope the next one is better. :) I do have a question about this statement you made. Why is it tacky to measure out shots? Every bar I've been to in Denver does this so it's not just a cruise ship thing. But why is it tacky? That's how they make sure they aren't making drinks too strong or too weak and also for inventory's sake. They need to know how many shots per bottle in order to have the right amount on hand. Anyway...just curious why it's tacky to you.

 

The Bar that I am a manager at measures shots... we just use the pourers that pre-measure them for you, that way the customer doesn't see, but I perfer seeing, so I know that I am getting a full size shot (or two if I pay for it) in my drink.

First, I just want to say that my sister and I sailed this week and overall, we had a lot of laughs and a really good time but will not sail NCL again.

 

There were just too many negatives that outweighed the positives and we cancelled our Hawaii cruise (with our husbands) on Pride of America for 1/07 when we got home.

 

I don't want to offend NCL lovers but we met lots of people who were quite disappointed with the cruise. It seemed that everyone we talked to said they'd never sail NCL again...some were veteran cruisers, some were first timers.

 

We thought the service was adequate, although it seemed that the crew were never friendlier than they had to be.

 

Good and bad points to the freestyle dining. Still not sure if I like the concept...

 

Drinks were "measured" by the shot..so tacky.

 

Balcony cabin (11028) was the smallest room I've ever been in...no refrigerator, no room to move and never a bucket of ice, even though we pre-tipped and requested ice every day. Never happened.

 

Saw one show...pitifully embarrassing ..so never went to another.

 

Was really surprised that everyone raved about the decor of the ship. We thought it was the ugliest we've ever seen.

 

Food was OK..no complaints. We ate in a different place every night...loved Cagney's and Le Bistro.

 

As stated, we still had a nice time. Weather was great. It was my 13th cruise and least favorite to date. I REALLY wish I could say I liked it more because the NY port is in my favor (no flying) but I wouldn't sail NCL again, even if it was for free.

 

 

Never sailed the Spirit but will on 4/23/06 yet I do read the reviews most are positive. I as others are sorry you were not happy with this cruise.

 

I love Celebrity, NCL, Princess & RCCL. The beauty of cruise critic is we have a forum for different and perhaps better opinions and choices.

 

Sorry NCL didn't give you the Happy's. Please keep looking your bound to find it:confused:

I am sorry you did not like the Spirit. We are not fans of freestyle--food and service too inconsistent. On the other hand, we loved the Spirit. Enjoyed its oriental motif and all the entertainment except the main shows.

Thanks for the honest review. This will be our first cruise with NCL (Dawn) so we'll see how it works for us.

Hope your next cruise is better! :)

~Connie

Although I loved my Spirit cruise a few weeks ago, there is truth to what you say.

 

The show that I saw last year, keep in mind: last year, was pitiful. Styrofoam props leaning over, desperate dancing and singing, just WRONG WRONG WRONG.

 

Cabins are small.

 

I like the decor but I can see where it might start to look like mini golf after a while... Plus the statues- People, you have too see it for yourselves to make up your minds. I loved it, but Galaxy of the Stars is a horror show. The space is great and it's a very relaxing place to be, but U G L Y fabrics and chairs. http://www.nlgsolutions.com/c/media.asp?hid=17162&i=&vessel=439&lineid=34&d=&d2=&mpg=t&p=/tours/thumbs/norwegian_34/439/34_439_Galaxy_of_the_Stars_Lounge_pub.jpg&pg=4&dsc=

 

Food is "okay." That's about right.

 

I, too, talked to someone who had some strong complaints, but she is a CC member and I have been expecting her to post. I don't want to paraphrase what she was saying so I'll let her do it "if and when."

 

So... I did love my trip and I truly love the ship. I wouldn't have sailed on her twice in one year if I didn't. At the same time, I came home and booked a Princess cruise right away, so... "I hear ya."

sgttami,

 

I am glad you started your review by saying you had a lot of laughs and ended it by saying you did enjoy yourselves in spite of the negitives you experienced on the Spirit. It was not a total waste of a cruise.

 

It makes me smile, as I am reading each and every one of these reviews for my upcoming cruise, how there are so many different takes on the same ship/cruise. I wonder how many people have taken exact repeat cruises (I know the Dawn has a very high repeat rate) and found the cruise to be totally different than the last for one reason or another. This is the information I find very helpful to me.

 

We cruised on CCL Victory and we had a great time, next cruise we sailed on the Dawn. We had a great time on that cruise also, but our boys thought they preferred the CCL cruise. I book another CCL cruise on Triumph (same ship as Victory, different decor) doing the exact intineary and all 4 of us thought that it was so/so, not really bad, but not really good either. Boys want to be back on NCL:) ( I am not picky, any ship any day is better than being at work!!.)

 

It was after that 2nd CCL cruise I decided to read any and all reviews but to wait to form my own opinion till AFTER my cruises. It would take a whole lot of ONLY negative reviews for me to cancel or avoid booking a certain ship/cruise line for ever.

 

For now.......NO REVIEW will stop me from boarding the Spirit shortly without my own great Spirit!!!:D

Carlalena1 - Here's a great example of beauty being in the eye of the beholder. You say that Galaxy of the Stars was a horror show!:eek: The fabrics and chairs were U G L Y.

 

I don't claim to hold any advanced 'degrees' in interior decorating or design. But I really thought the Galaxy of the Stars was pleasing to the eye.

 

Again, I would not decorate my home as the Spirit was decorated. But then I wouldn't decorate my home like ANY ship is decorated!

 

And by the way, just so everyone knows, I'm NOT picking on Carla at all! I have found her postings to be quite informative and most often very humorous. I would probably have a great time being on the same cruise as she. I'm just pointing out how funny it is that 2 people, or 2,000 people can look at the very same thing and have completely opposite, or very different ideas.

 

I have looked at art work and had to force myself not to make a face that looks like I've just taken a bite out of a lemon. Only to have someone come up behind me and say how gorgeous that piece is!

 

Honestly, the ships all have areas that I think are quite garish. But I think it's a good reminder that we're on vacation and experiencing something we wouldn't experience at home.

 

Have fun!

Hikini:D

By no means did we have a "bad time."

 

We met a friend at Pt. Canaveral who entertained us for the day. We went to Cocoa Beach (some said it was filthy and gross, but I guess it depended on what part you were on. Cocoa is 27 miles long and the area where the hotels are was pretty and very clean.)

 

I hadn't been to South Beach in 30 years and the deco district and beach we were at were quite nice. We did the South Beach retreat through the ship which I estimated would be a rip off and it was (69.00 per person). It was merely a ride to the hotel. You could use the facilities but there were no chairs left by the pool when we got back to the hotel. (after walking down Lincoln Rd.) For another $10.00 you could get a chair on the beach so that's what we did. There was a welcome drink...orange juice and that was it. We did have lunch at the pool bar at the hotel which of course, was extra. It was a fun day.

 

We spent about two hours walking around Nassau. We'd both been there before and have done the Atlantis so we just strolled around. Bought some cranberry juice for the remaining smuggled vodka!!

 

On a positive note, I really didn't see too many chair hogs even on days at sea. We never had a problem finding a spot, even when we'd spent most of the day in port.

 

As far as the drink measuring looking "tacky"....We mostly drank Coor's Light in the day and wine at night but watched as the bartenders were making drinks for others. It just came across as really cheap that they measured out shots right to the line. A good bartender knows how to "pour" and doesn't measure. It was a turnoff for a lot of people and some actually did comment to the bartender. It was the first time ever on a cruise that we weren't comped even one drink...our bar bill alone was over $1200.00 for two.

 

This was my 4th cruise since September (others were on RCL). Of course it won't ruin my experience of cruising. We're booked for October, 9 day Explorer of the Seas (RCL) from Bayonne and will continue to cruise, just not on NCL.

 

Still, I'm glad we went....no regrets.

Carlalena1 - Here's a great example of beauty being in the eye of the beholder. You say that Galaxy of the Stars was a horror show!:eek: The fabrics and chairs were U G L Y.

 

I don't claim to hold any advanced 'degrees' in interior decorating or design. But I really thought the Galaxy of the Stars was pleasing to the eye.

 

Again, I would not decorate my home as the Spirit was decorated. But then I wouldn't decorate my home like ANY ship is decorated!

 

And by the way, just so everyone knows, I'm NOT picking on Carla at all! I have found her postings to be quite informative and most often very humorous. I would probably have a great time being on the same cruise as she. I'm just pointing out how funny it is that 2 people, or 2,000 people can look at the very same thing and have completely opposite, or very different ideas.

 

I have looked at art work and had to force myself not to make a face that looks like I've just taken a bite out of a lemon. Only to have someone come up behind me and say how gorgeous that piece is!

 

Honestly, the ships all have areas that I think are quite garish. But I think it's a good reminder that we're on vacation and experiencing something we wouldn't experience at home.

 

Have fun!

Hikini:D

 

Hikini...you are so correct about beauty being in the eye of the beholder and how so many people can have so many different opinions on ships.

 

I booked Celebrity's Galaxy after cruising on Celebrity's Millenium and I read reviews on the CC boards that said that the Galaxy was the best ship in Celebrity's fleet. Needless to say, I was disappointed and although I had a suite on Galaxy, the overall cruise experience was much better on Millie.

 

People just have different tastes and expectations.

I hope the same doesn't happen with the Spirit, because the Dawn was great

But, I know I will have a great time even though the ship may not provide the same expectations I found on the Dawn.

 

Don

...but I wouldn't sail NCL again, even if it was for free.

 

The final quote invalidates the entire reveiw for ME. Obviously, this person comes from a completely different mindset than do I. Free cruise/no travel...bring it on!

 

For them and others like them, fine review. For me...see ya.

 

People just have different tastes and expectations.

I hope the same doesn't happen with the Spirit, because the Dawn was great

But, I know I will have a great time even though the ship may not provide the same expectations I found on the Dawn.

 

Don

 

Don, I have not sailed on the Dawn, but I have sailed on the Star, which is a sister ship to the Star. So, having been on both the Star and the Spirit, I will give a slight edge to the Star, but not for reasons such as decor. It would be for various reasons, but they are all because of positives for the Star, and not because of negatives for the Spirit.

 

One reason is that the Star is bigger and gives you a little more dining variety. But, one thing I really loved more about the Spirit was the back end of the ship in the Buccaneer's Wet & Wild (kiddie pool area.) The amphitheater there is a wonderful place for R&R, either while underway or while in port. We spent a lot of time out there.

 

I'm sure you'll have a great time!

Hikini:D

I honestly meant that I wouldn't sail NCL again...even for free...

 

We had the opportunities to do the "spin for a free cruise" in the casino. We just kept avoiding it. I was afraid we'd win!!!

 

As I stated..it wasn't totally negative. We had fun and that's what matters...

Cabins are small.

 

Really? Everything is relative. How much smaller are the Spirit's cabins?

Square footage of cabins comparison for NCL ships :cool:

Note: These are regular sized cabins, not superior sized cabins nor suites.

 

Spirit

Inside 148 Oceanview 157 Balcony 161 + 40

Star (Dawn, Jewel, Pride of Hawaii, Pearl, and Gem)

Inside 142 Oceanview 159 Balcony 166 + 37

Dream (Wind)

Inside 144 Oceanview 152 Balcony 167 + 40

Pride of Aloha (Sun)

Inside 121 (Sun 147) Oceanview 149 Balcony 154 + 48

Pride of America

Inside 132 Oceanview 144 Balcony 138 + 40

Crown

Inside 160 Oceanview 165

Majesty

Inside 108 Oceanview 108

 

Let's review!

 

The only ships with larger standard sized Inside Cabins than the Spirit are the Dream class ships and the Crown, which is significantly larger. The Majesty, Pride of Aloha and Pride of America have significantly smaller Inside Cabins in the order listed.

 

The only ships with larger standard sized Oceanview Cabins are the Star class ships and the Crown, which is signifcantly larger. The Majesty and the Pride of America have significantly smaller Oceanview Cabins in the order listed.

 

The only ships with larger standard sized Balcony Cabins are the Dream class and Star class ships, but not signifcantly larger. The Pride of America has significantly smaller Balcony Cabins.

 

Does the Spirit have the largest cabins in the NCL fleet, No.

Does the Spirit have the smallest cabins in the NCL fleet? No, not even close.

 

I wouldn't say the Spirit's cabins are small. There are much smaller cabins on other NCL ships, including ships built after the Spirit was built.

We usually sail a D1 on RCL...Radiance class is 204 sq ft and 50 sq ft balcony.

On Voyager class it's 188 sq ft and 50 sq st balcony.

 

It may not seem like a big difference but believe me, it is!!!

 

We did an owner's suite once...333 sq ft and 202 sq ft. balcony...Heaven!!!

 

I'd rather stay home than do an inside/porthole cabin. And if I had tons of $$$, I'd always do a suite...but until then, we'll stick with the balcony rooms that are sufficient for us.....

 

I'd rather stay home than do an inside/porthole cabin. And if I had tons of $$$, I'd always do a suite...but until then, we'll stick with the balcony rooms that are sufficient for us.....

 

My cabin is sort of like a parking spot. It’s a place to sleep, shower and keep my personal belongings. We don’t require a whole lot of room for those things. We cruise for that other stuff.. The shows, the food, the sun, to meet and talk to the many other people from so many different walks of life. To sit by the pool and watch people smile and enjoy their cruise. I agree a balcony is nice. Hey a shower and a bath tub, choices, choices. Two televisions no real channels on either. The ship is my destination my cabin is where I park it when I need rest.

Wallygator: I completely agree. This was my first balcony and I spent waaaaay more time in the room because of it (of course I had DH with me instead of the kids, so...). An OV or an inside forces you up on deck during sailaways and that is a great thing. All that matters is that you get on the ship. If you are talking a few kids it can mean a savings of thousands.

 

Electric(avenue)ron: I just canceled my Princess booking and booked another (egads) Carnival cruise. Only way to take four kids and one (insane) adult. I believe the cabins are 185sf. I remember the Elation cabin being big but now overwhelmingly huge compared to the Spirit- but then again, on the Elation I had two singles, on this Spirit trip I had the queen, and on my previous Spirit cruise, I had that huge wierdly-configured bow cabin on 8 (or was it 9- HUGE cabin). Anyway, how does that extra footage play out, comfort-wise?

Gee! I don't recall posting a giant Vacations to Go ad at the bottom of my post!!!!!! Is this annoying or what?

Then again... I just clicked on it- $599 POA balcony? 10 day? WHOA! :eek:

We usually sail a D1 on RCL...Radiance class is 204 sq ft and 50 sq ft balcony. On Voyager class it's 188 sq ft and 50 sq st balcony.

We did an owner's suite once...333 sq ft and 202 sq ft. balcony...Heaven!!!

I'd rather stay home than do an inside/porthole cabin. And if I had tons of $$$, I'd always do a suite...but until then, we'll stick with the balcony rooms that are sufficient for us.....

 

A Category D1 on the Radiance of the Seas is a Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony of 204 square feet plus 66 sq. ft. balcony. It's an aft facing balcony cabin. This the Spirit doesn't have, so it's an unfair comparison.

A comparable balcony cabin on the Radiance of the Seas to what the Spirit has, are Categories E1, E2, and E3: Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony of 179 square feet plus 41 sq. ft. balcony. Note the balcony size and cabin size very similar to a Spirit balcony cabin.

 

What the Spirit has compartable to an aft facing D1 on the Radiance of the Seas is an AD Penthouse Suite, and cabin 9212 has a cabin of 330 sq. ft. and a balcony of 84 sq. ft. By the way, the Owner's Suite aboard the Spirit, cabin 9208 has a cabin of 530 sq. ft. and a balcony of 75 sq. ft. So the Spirit does have large cabins too, just not as many which isn't surprising as it is a smaller ship.

 

If you wish to compare cruise lines, compare similar sized ships. The Dawn is a closer match to the Radiance than the Spirit. A BA aft facing cabin aboard the Dawn matches up well with the D1 on the Radiance of the Seas. Cabin 10230 is 166 sq. ft. with a baclony of 136 sq. ft. That's a total of 302 sq. ft. compared to the lowly total of 254 sq. ft. for a D1. And I bet the fares for the BA on the Dawn is less than a D1 on the Radiance of the Seas.

 

As for matching up the Spirit with a RCI ship, the Rhapodsy of the Seas is about the same size. A Category D1: Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony on the Rhapodsy of the Seas is 195 square feet plus a 41 sq. ft. balcony. I would consider that large in comparison.

 

Then when you consider the dining options, the Spirit wins easily. RCI's traditional dining is not my cup of tea.

A Category D1 on the Radiance of the Seas is a Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony of 204 square feet plus 66 sq. ft. balcony. It's an aft facing balcony cabin. This the Spirit doesn't have, so it's an unfair comparison.

A comparable balcony cabin on the Radiance of the Seas to what the Spirit has, are Categories E1, E2, and E3: Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony of 179 square feet plus 41 sq. ft. balcony. Note the balcony size and cabin size very similar to a Spirit balcony cabin.

 

What the Spirit has compartable to an aft facing D1 on the Radiance of the Seas is an AD Penthouse Suite, and cabin 9212 has a cabin of 330 sq. ft. and a balcony of 84 sq. ft. By the way, the Owner's Suite aboard the Spirit, cabin 9208 has a cabin of 530 sq. ft. and a balcony of 75 sq. ft. So the Spirit does have large cabins too, just not as many which isn't surprising as it is a smaller ship.

 

If you wish to compare cruise lines, compare similar sized ships. The Dawn is a closer match to the Radiance than the Spirit. A BA aft facing cabin aboard the Dawn matches up well with the D1 on the Radiance of the Seas. Cabin 10230 is 166 sq. ft. with a baclony of 136 sq. ft. That's a total of 302 sq. ft. compared to the lowly total of 254 sq. ft. for a D1. And I bet the fares for the BA on the Dawn is less than a D1 on the Radiance of the Seas.

 

As for matching up the Spirit with a RCI ship, the Rhapodsy of the Seas is about the same size. A Category D1: Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony on the Rhapodsy of the Seas is 195 square feet plus a 41 sq. ft. balcony. I would consider that large in comparison.

 

Then when you consider the dining options, the Spiit wins easily. RCI's traditional dining is not my cup of tea.

 

With all due respect does all that matter? My fingers hurt for all your typing.

Not really, but I wasn't the one who wrote the Spirit's cabins were small. I wrote initially that size is relative, then posted some areas of various ships.

 

The Majesty's cabins are small in comparison to most modern ships.They are even small compared to the Dream, Wind, and Crown, ships built about the same time.