vidsmart

Interesting comments about soot falling on decks. I am a travel writer/podcaster and wrote a feature about the origin of the winged funnel on Carnival—for this very reason—and interviewed the designer on the podcast. Never realized this was a problem prior to that feature.

We sailed Hawaii to Alaska in May. The refurbishment made it like new. Almost perfect except bathroom is tiny—that can’t be fixed by a refurbishment—and the buffet is the worst ever experienced. Tiny, which I understand, but the food and presentation was uninspired. As a result we ate lunch in the MDR almost daily. I think all my MDR lunches ever before Spirit, can be counted on one hand. 
MDR and specialty restaurant food was excellent as well as a couple of other complimentary options.

The OP experience was their experience and I appreciate them sharing. In response to a commenter the cruises was not dreadful. I also was on it. I can’t link to it but I published a podcast about it today. FWIW, I gave it a grade of B

I booked 16-day Spirit after interviewing blogger and Alaska expert, Prof. Cruise (for a writing project). She had taken the same cruise, and brought her 13 y.o. son. He was content because he loves basketball and there is a court. I am sure she will interact with you directly re your questions. If you can’t reach her through the blog, I can put you together with her.

On 11/25/2022 at 12:36 PM, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Mind expanding on this?  Was it the food, service, atmosphere, etc?

Yes, it was all of the above but especially the food. They go out of their way to please you. After ordering dessert, we were stuffed, and they brought out this tiered tray of chocolates and other stuff. We forced ourselves to eat some to show our appreciation. They did something similar in Eden which was also outstanding

I was on the Med cruise on Beyond right before this one and it was perfect—no staff shortages and the food was the best I’ve ever had at sea. Of course, it was not at capacity 

On Beyond we ate at Le Voyage by Daniel Boulaud, Eden, Fine Cut Steakhouse, and Raw on Five. They were all excellent and I have ranked them in order. The meal at Le Vogage was the best I ever experienced 

As others have said it is an easy process. Too bad it is not applicable to charter cruises (my next cruise is The Smooth Jazz Cruise on Millennium)

We were on Beyond right before this cruise and it was as close to a perfect experience that I have had on a cruise. I guess the difference is because of the much lower passenger count. Not related but internet was solid too.

I have read a lot on various forums about how food has declined in quality post lockdown. I somewhat agree based on my cruises. However I recently ate at LeVoyage on Beyond and it was the best meal I ever had at sea or on land.

Just booked Hawaii to Alaska Apr/May ‘23 on NCL Spirit. I think you mentioned adult-oriented in the thread—Spirit underwent a huge refurbishment in ‘20 to create specifically adult focused ship

On 7/25/2022 at 10:25 PM, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

I know of no cruise line that lets you purchase for only one. What cruiseline  allow purchasing the drink package for only one in the cabin. Maybe if one is under age and the other is an adult? Not sure about that either.

Royal allows one alcohol package if the other adult buys the much cheaper refreshment package. No note needed, just have to call 

On 5/11/2022 at 1:42 PM, vidsmart said:

It is my 3rd nonfiction book about the joy we all share for cruising. Not HAL specific. Dont want to violate forum rules are advertising. you can google name in avatar. Thx

Hello. Just wanted to share that I will be meeting Captain Bos for lunch tomorrow. Will be sharing a draft of his feature which includes your quote. As mentioned, I had previously read it to him over the phone. Thx

1 hour ago, bayportkat said:

Thank you everyone!  I think I am talking myself into treating myself to the refreshment package!

You sound like you don’t need further convincing but in addition to what others said I started everyday with a protein smoothie from Vitality Spa; a JR shake most days; latte everyday; assorted Virgin cocktails, etc

1 hour ago, TiogaCruiser said:

That’s really cool that got back to him.
 

Can you share a bit more about your book project? Is it about HAL, the Captain, or ?

It is my 3rd nonfiction book about the joy we all share for cruising. Not HAL specific. Dont want to violate forum rules are advertising. you can google name in avatar. Thx

On 2/27/2018 at 7:23 PM, Copper10-8 said:

Awesome Captain and human being! privileged to have worked for him on Volendam in 2011; He will be sorely missed by his loving crew! Hope they order a limo for him and his wife as they disembark Noordam in Sydney, NSW one last time on 28 March. Enjoy your retirement Kaptein!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5456373121_556748b955.jpg

Hello. Resurrecting this 4 y.o. thread to say that I am doing a feature on Captain Bos for a book I am writing and was wondering if I could get your permission re using this photo? Also you mentioned having worked with him. Would love to get a quote. Sorry I don't see how to reach out privately. Thx...Paul

On 3/3/2018 at 6:01 AM, TiogaCruiser said:

 

He makes you feel like he’s found something really wonderful and can’t wait to show you. He tried to get us inside in Alaska and you could hear his disappointment when it was too foggy to get in where he wanted. He did get us to the lighthouse. And both times in Glacier Bay he would offer a bottle of wine to the first person spotting a bear feeding on the shore.

 

My reaction when I found out he was captain for Antarctica was “Captain Bos has the keys, and we’re going exploring”.

Hello. Odd receiving reply for a 4 y.o. post, I know! Interviewed Capt Bos today for book I’m writing. I had found above prior to the interview, and I decided right away that I planned to quote it in the book (with proper attribution to you of course). Have to say after interviewing him, above certainly rings true even if I have never sailed with him. By the way, I read the quote to him over the phone and I sensed he “lit up.” Thx…Paul

I think you should buy it at whatever price it is at now. If if goes down just cancel and repurchase. My recollection is that prices are more likely to go up as the cruise date approaches. (Hopefully that’s not the case with Coco Beach Club—currently double for my May cruise vs what I paid for a Feb cruise)

2 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

I'm one of those Americans who are supposed to be on a Med cruise...9 day Greek Isles leaving Civi on August 30.  3 big questions:

1. Will this cruise even sail?

2. If #1 is yes, will Italy allow Americans to fly there and board the ship?

3. If #1 and #2 are both yes, do we even still want to go?

 

Final payment on the cruise is not until June 1 and I don't have a lot of other money tied up (airline is Delta miles), so I'll just wait until June and see how things unfold.

I hope it works out for you. (I am booked on a Med cruise Nov 1.) My opinion is that your cruise won’t happen; nor will mine. But at least we both have a few months to get our $ in And I would love to be wrong! Stay safe all

5 minutes ago, Dennis#1 said:

Disagree.  The Governor of Florida is on top of the issue.  It is not realistic that he completely shut down the state.  

Is this sarcasm? This is life or death

2 minutes ago, ThirstyCruiser said:

Things will eventually return to normal. And that return may start happening in May. Or June. But it won't be like flipping a light switch. There will be a schedule (planned or unplanned) of things going back to normal. Less risky things will happen first - golf courses get back to normal, parks open. Very risky things will come back much, much later - 100,000 people in a stadium for concert?

 

On that spectrum where do you think cruising falls? Its gonna be a long time (like, not June 2020) before 6500 people pile onto a ship in Bayonne, go away for a week, no ability to quickly evacuate, no ICUs, a ventilator if you are lucky and oh lets make sure a significant portion of that 6500 consists of the demographic most likely to die from complication due to COVID-19.

 

Royal is going to need some early wins. Some no news, boring, nobody died (for any reason!) cruises. I think they want to avoid opening up some sailings too early and making headlines in a negative way. The cost might be crippling otherwise.

 

The answer to most things in life and all things in business is "money". That's what Royal is sweating out now. What is going to cost more. Having all those ships sit? Cruising too early?  Those executives are earning their paychecks now. Glad I don't have to make these literal life-and-death billion dollar decisions.

 

 

Great post; my thoughts exactly

1 minute ago, Judyrem said:

You left out the part  of my post of a normal middle class lady who recovered and there are many more like her.  Most of those that were infected were probably middle class people because there are thousands who have "recovered".

 

Money always helps with almost everything, yes?

True

We are schedule to sail Indy in July. I do not believe that will happen. We are also booked for a Med cruise November; I think cruising will be happening then but it stops in 3 places in Italy so the itinerary will likely change.

5 hours ago, Judyrem said:

I use Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson as examples of a mild covid case and think there many more similarly afflicted.

Mr. Hanks was 63 with type two diabetes,  he recovered as will thousands of others too.  I wish people would be more cognizant of the recoveries and try to not be overwhelmed with anxiety and stress.  Stress does not help one's health.

Not to be argumentative but the Hanks are multimillionaires. So are the 3 NBA stars that have fully recovered. Treatment (and likely the level of stress one has to deal with) is influenced significantly by wealth

16 hours ago, drsel said:

I expect that things will settle down by November

 

Not in Italy