Carnival Spirit

[IngFam]

Hi there my daughter is going on Carnival Spirit in July for 11 nights with some friends. Is anyone able to tell me what theme nights they can expect, so that they can be prepared. Thank you.

[jessica3152]

I'm also cruising on Spirit in July with family and friends.

 

My expectations are:

• Lots of kids as it's school holidays
  
• Demographic will be similar to P&O Australia; lots of families, some couples, mix of first time and repeat cruisers
  
• Ship will be more modern than anything experienced on P&O Aust.
  
• Carnival has a good reputation for food though reviews of Spirit in Australia are mixed.
  
• It's a Farcus ship so gaudy interiors in public areas is a given; a big change from Princess beige.
  
• Cruise is in winter so first couple and last couple of days may be a bit cool.
  
• Only 1 Aussie power point in the cabin so there will be a powerboard in my bag
  

[Miss416]

Just got off the Spirit last week, they had 2 theme nights Caribbean, and Mexican. From what I've read on here, that's the only ones they have.

[Wyuna1]

Just got off the Spirit last week, they had 2 theme nights Caribbean, and Mexican. From what I've read on here, that's the only ones they have.

 

Miss416,

Sailing on Spirit next month. How was the cruise in your opinion.

What did you like the most and least and if you are game a comment on the food.:confused::confused:

[patatie]

Just got off the Spirit last week, they had 2 theme nights Caribbean, and Mexican. From what I've read on here, that's the only ones they have.

 

We're doing 11 nights in July too! Were these like P & O nights where people dressed up? or was it mainly to do with the food?

[kate59]

There theme nights are Mexican and Carribean. The photos with the pirates are nice. Not many get dressed up but those who did on our cruise did look great and yes the food in the MDR follows the same theme - but the usual staples are still on the menu, ie Atlantic salmon (my favourite) and chicken snitzel for those who don't like the heat.

 

I tried frog legs for the first time onboard and they were great.

 

My biggest suggestion is go with an open mind and just relax. I liked it and would sail with them again - but since I am over 50 I prefer Princess - no I didn't try the Green Thunder but my friends all did.:)

[Tara Jane]

Brad, apparently they confiscate power boards. On debarkation day there was a staff member in the conference room with all the confiscated goodies that people had taken on board. All electrical appliances, mostly power boards and hair dryers but many of them.

[kate59]

Power boards are a bit weird - mine got through in my main luggage, however one of our friends did not. Both of them were fairly new with a reset switch - probably depends who you get although in all the Carnival Spirit documentation I saw you could take them.

 

My friend who had her's confiscated asked about getting one and secruity were able to lend her one.

[robinph]

Miss416,

Sailing on Spirit next month. How was the cruise in your opinion.

What did you like the most and least and if you are game a comment on the food.:confused::confused:

 

Hi, we returned from our cruise on Spirit on Monday, and must say I had a great time, beautiful ship although it does take a little while for it to grow on you, but the more you look around it the more impressed you become. Theme nights were Caribbean Deck party ( we had this the night before arriving in Vila which was a bit strange) Mexican and a white theme deck party. With all the negative reports I had read on the food I didn't know what to expect, but in my opinion overall they had some of the best food I have had on any cruise ship. First nights meal in the dining room was cold (very) but a nice word to our waiter( without complaining) from then on everything was perfect. Service in the dining room for breakfast or brunch was a bit hit and miss, food was fine but we didn't always get what we ordered, but this didn't bother me as I'm sure most of the staff had been working the night before and were tired. I preferred to go to the buffet, for breakfast & lunch, although more crowded, great choices of food and never had a problem finding a seat. Entertainment was good to ordinary with 3 production shows but not many guest entertainers. Make sure you take plenty of money if you enjoy a drink, prices are quite expensive. Duty free and gift shop prices were good, some things cheaper than other ships( handbags & watches only $10). Nouveau restaurant well worth the $35 surcharge. This is not the ship to go on in or near school holidays if you are travelling without children, we had approx 500 kids on ours, and although overall didn't encounter too many issues, there is very little to no supervision by either parents or staff, children are allowed to pass through casino but many times when we were in there groups of children wandering around through the machines and even adults with their kids stopping to watch things that were going on. Even though they have the wonderful Serenity area outside, there is no area inside that is child free. I didn't try the green thunder only the yellow slide that was enough for me, but then I'm not as young as I used to be, the mind was willing but the body was telling me otherwise. Showtime in the dining room was 5 minutes or so of fun during dinner. Staff in all areas were great. We had an amazing waitress, Martina, I would go as far as to say she was the best waiter we have had on any cruise, she is also one of the dining room show time dancers.In my opinion while carnival sail out of Sydney I would not bother with a P&O cruise unless it was a super cheap special, there is just no comparison. Although I do love RCCL and Princess ships. I will definetly give Carnival another go. Robin:)

[Tara Jane]

Good reading, my thoughts pretty much too. I was annoyed with the kids not being under any supervision.

Agree the food was pretty good, and Martina was fantastic, she was our waitress too. Really enjoyed the entertainment in the dining room each night and wasn't the waiter who sang fantastic, I told the cruise director they should have him on the stage. I felt he was better than some of the official entertainment singers.

[The Fox]

Hi, we returned from our cruise on Spirit on Monday, and must say I had a great time, beautiful ship although it does take a little while for it to grow on you, but the more you look around it the more impressed you become. Theme nights were Caribbean Deck party ( we had this the night before arriving in Vila which was a bit strange) Mexican and a white theme deck party. With all the negative reports I had read on the food I didn't know what to expect, but in my opinion overall they had some of the best food I have had on any cruise ship. First nights meal in the dining room was cold (very) but a nice word to our waiter( without complaining) from then on everything was perfect. Service in the dining room for breakfast or brunch was a bit hit and miss, food was fine but we didn't always get what we ordered, but this didn't bother me as I'm sure most of the staff had been working the night before and were tired. I preferred to go to the buffet, for breakfast & lunch, although more crowded, great choices of food and never had a problem finding a seat. Entertainment was good to ordinary with 3 production shows but not many guest entertainers. Make sure you take plenty of money if you enjoy a drink, prices are quite expensive. Duty free and gift shop prices were good, some things cheaper than other ships( handbags & watches only $10). Nouveau restaurant well worth the $35 surcharge. This is not the ship to go on in or near school holidays if you are travelling without children, we had approx 500 kids on ours, and although overall didn't encounter too many issues, there is very little to no supervision by either parents or staff, children are allowed to pass through casino but many times when we were in there groups of children wandering around through the machines and even adults with their kids stopping to watch things that were going on. Even though they have the wonderful Serenity area outside, there is no area inside that is child free. I didn't try the green thunder only the yellow slide that was enough for me, but then I'm not as young as I used to be, the mind was willing but the body was telling me otherwise. Showtime in the dining room was 5 minutes or so of fun during dinner. Staff in all areas were great. We had an amazing waitress, Martina, I would go as far as to say she was the best waiter we have had on any cruise, she is also one of the dining room show time dancers.In my opinion while carnival sail out of Sydney I would not bother with a P&O cruise unless it was a super cheap special, there is just no comparison. Although I do love RCCL and Princess ships. I will definetly give Carnival another go. Robin:)

 

 

Hi Rob,

 

I agree with you in every point raised...lets get the crew together and organise a cruise on Spirit especially now our dollar has nose dived.

 

Col:)

[robinph]

Hi Rob,

 

I agree with you in every point raised...lets get the crew together and organise a cruise on Spirit especially now our dollar has nose dived.

 

Col:)

 

Start planning Col! Rob:p

[The Fox]

Start planning Col! Rob:p

 

hi ,

i was thinking 8 nighter 10.5.14 on Spirit for our honeymoon ...with all the regular invitees if hawaii falls through with the drop in our dollar...you know me any excuse to get on a cruise with our friends

[smacd]

Oops

[Queensland Girl]

We leave on Friday on Carnival spirit on Friday 28th June ( school holidays). We have 2 cabins, because the Granchildren 12 and 14 are coming with us with their parents. We have missed out on anytime dining and have been given late dining. Does anyone know what time the shows are on, and are we going to miss out on things because we are eating late. - Any suggestions Thanks Judy:):)

[kate59]

Just check the times for the shows in your program but you shouldn't miss - they sometimes put the shows on early for the later dining.

 

We had anytime dining which was good however you miss out on getting to know your waiters and them to get to know you - there was just something missing for me with anytime dining but might have just been I am more used to later dining.

[robinph]

We leave on Friday on Carnival spirit on Friday 28th June ( school holidays). We have 2 cabins, because the Granchildren 12 and 14 are coming with us with their parents. We have missed out on anytime dining and have been given late dining. Does anyone know what time the shows are on, and are we going to miss out on things because we are eating late. - Any suggestions Thanks Judy:):)

 

Hi Judy, we arrived back last Monday, and dinner times are 5.30 & 7.45 shows are 8.00 & 10.00, so you shouldn't have a problem with the shows, we did early dinner and found we were finishing dinner within 1hour and a half without rushing, unfortunately it do'snt matter what dinner you have there is always something going on that you end up missing out on, but i'm sure you will find plenty of things to do, hope you enjoy your cruise. Robin :)

[Fozwald]

I am not sure what type of dining we should select. Don't normally eat early and we don't have kids on our cruise next year. I initially thought late dining or anytime dining. Any suggestions on the pros and cons ?