Almost live from the NCL Spirit - Hawaii and Tahiti - 19 and 31 May 2022

[njkate]

14 hours ago, Rob_H said:

As i mentioned after Papetee, many people from the previous cruise tested positive for Covid on May 29 or 30, so couldn't leave the cruise and fly home.

 

A large number of rooms on decks 4 and 5 were used to quarantine them. The number of people affected hasn't been revealed by Norwegian. 

 

Those people are now recovering (if they even had any symptoms), testing negative, and being allowed out of their rooms.

 

I talked to a couple we know from the first cruise. They were given the option to leave the ship, but would then be on their own to find somewhere to stay and find a way home (they live outside the US).

 

They were very happy to accept Norwegian's generous offer to allow them to say on board, all the way back to Honolulu. Even though it means delaying their return to work.

 

It's unclear so far exactly what they'll need to pay for but it's essentially a free cruise.

 

The couple we know are very happy with the way Norwegian handled it at such short notice.

 

Even though it was a shock for us at the time to have many quarantine rooms around us, it's clear that Norwegian has gone to considerable effort and expense to help those affected. 

 

We are happy to know that we'll be looked after well if this ever happens to us!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My friend was one of the positives, he was not offered to leave the ship only option was his wife could stay as well. She flew home, he was quarantined on deck 4. He tested negative on Saturday, moved from the quarantine cabin, free to roam the ship and NCl had him flying home from Hilo, he doesn’t have to stay until Honolulu 

[Rob_H]

The Local, the 24 hour bar and snack place. It's on the corridor between the Atrium and the forward stairs.

[Bocadude85]

Any chance you could post a photo of the menu at the Local, we will be on the Spirit in October and I’m curious if the menu is the same as the larger ships. Thank you. 

[Rob_H]

1 hour ago, Bocadude85 said:

Any chance you could post a photo of the menu at the Local, we will be on the Spirit in October and I’m curious if the menu is the same as the larger ships. Thank you. 

 

Yes, it looks the same as the Bliss and Encore. Not super exciting, we haven't had a reason to eat there yet. All day menu attached, food starts page 6.

 

Local.pdf

[Rob_H]

Windows MDR at lunchtime, this time showing the actual windows....

 

It's on deck 6 all the way aft.

[surfclam2003]

Thank you Rob_H. Will be on the spirit mid Oct and can't wait!

[jsn55]

2 hours ago, Rob_H said:

Windows MDR at lunchtime, this time showing the actual windows....

 

It's on deck 6 all the way aft.

Oh MY!!!!  You're sweet to post this, I appreciate it.

[Rob_H]

Photos of Silk, the complementary Asian restaurant. Basically same menu as the places like Jasmine Garden on the Jade, see attached pdf.

 

Sushi is an additional charge.

Silk.pdf

[bluesea777]

2 hours ago, Rob_H said:

Photos of Silk, the complementary Asian restaurant. Basically same menu as the places like Jasmine Garden on the Jade, see attached pdf.

 

Sushi is an additional charge.

 

Silk.pdf 376.32 kB · 1 download

 

Thank goodness!! They changed the chairs at the sushi bar!!

 

When we were on the Spirit in Feb 2020 post dry dock (& pre-sh!t-hit-the-fan) the chairs were too low!

 

 

 

[Rob_H]

Today we're in Hilo on the Big Island, Hawaii.

 

US immigration was done onboard. Quick and efficient as over 90% of passengers were from the USA and Canada.

[Rob_H]

The Spirit in Hilo.

 

[mgraybill]

What is the outlet situation like? My partner and I both use CPAPs so I want to be sure we bring the right extension cords/adapters/etc.

Edited June 10, 2022 by mgraybill

[bluesea777]

5 minutes ago, mgraybill said:

What type of cabin are you in? Any pictures? What is the outlet situation like? My partner and I both use CPAPs so I want to be sure we bring the right extension cords/adapters/etc.

 

You'll need to bring a simple 15ft extension cord, regardless. Invest in buying one and keeping it with your CPAPs every time you travel/cruise. None of the current NCL ships have outlets next to bed.

 

No surge protector strips allowed.

 

Edited June 10, 2022 by bluesea777

[mgraybill]

I was on the Joy in 2019 and it had an actual outlet next to the bed, however we were in a (at that time Concierge) suite, with only 1 CPAP. I do usually travel with an extension cord with multiple outlets.

[Rob_H]

34 minutes ago, mgraybill said:

What is the outlet situation like? My partner and I both use CPAPs so I want to be sure we bring the right extension cords/adapters/etc.

 

In inside and balcony rooms (the only rooms we've been in), there are some outlets at the desk/mirror, only.

 

The outlets are two Euro and one undersized US outlet. The coffee maker and hairdryer use Euro plugs, when they are both in use the US outlet is a tight squeeze.

 

So bring an extension or two and multi adaptor (without surge protector). For anybody from the US a Euro adapter would also be a good idea, since there is only one US socket.

 

There are also a couple of USB there.

 

Each side of the bed has a fold out reading light, and another USB. Both sides of the bed have two switches for room lights.

 

[mgraybill]

Thank you so much! The picture of the desk outlet is super helpful for ensuring I pack the right plug sizes.

[Rob_H]

Today we have a day essentially at sea, currently cruising slowly off Oahu.

 

We can't dock at Kauai as the only dock is taken by the Pride of America. So our arrival will be (as scheduled) at 4pm.

 

That was quite poor planning for this cruise, glad we had a day and a half in Kauai on the previous cruise.

 

 

[Rob_H]

It's harder to disembark after a series of cruises on the same ship - it's home!

 

But we had to leave today. Walked off at 8am with no queuing, bags were in the terminal ok, Lyft to the airport under $20. At airport by 8.25.

 

Honolulu cruise port is good, very clear signs to a dedicated Uber/Lyft waiting area.

[surfclam2003]

1 hour ago, Rob_H said:

It's harder to disembark after a series of cruises on the same ship - it's home!

 

But we had to leave today. Walked off at 8am with no queuing, bags were in the terminal ok, Lyft to the airport under $20. At airport by 8.25.

 

Honolulu cruise port is good, very clear signs to a dedicated Uber/Lyft waiting area.

Thank you for your review. We will be on there in October and can't wait.

[mtlbri]

On 5/22/2022 at 4:05 AM, Rob_H said:

We didn't manage to book anything for this port, the overnight in Kauai. 

 

But we still had a great day. In the morning walked round to and spent time in the Marriott resorts, then walked  to the lagoons and on to the lighthouse, good view  (also a good view of planes coming into the airport). 

 

Called an Uber to get us back to the ship for $10. Took the Uber a while to find us down the dirt roads, but it saved us a long walk back!

 

The Uber driver recommended Poipu Beach, so over lunch on the ship we worked out how to get there. Uber would be $40 each way.

 

Google Transit (the "train" option on Google Maps directions) gave us a better option by bus. A bit complex with three buses but it all went smooth and we got there for $3 each (a $2 main bus and two 50c connections).  Saw lots of great countryside and a few towns and villages on the way.

 

We spent a couple of hours there, saw turtles in the shallow pool and rocks. Nice place, quite busy as it's a saturday evening. Towards sunset we headed home, again by bus.  So nice to have an overnight and not need to rush!

 

Great of you to share your experiences Rob. We are aboard October 19th and will follow you on a HNL <> HNL bucket list set of cruises. It is always amazing to take local transportation and slow down on the visit. Mahalo.

[mtlbri]

On 6/7/2022 at 3:06 PM, Rob_H said:

Photos of Silk, the complementary Asian restaurant. Basically same menu as the places like Jasmine Garden on the Jade, see attached pdf.

 

Sushi is an additional charge.

Silk.pdf 376.32 kB · 20 downloads

Awesome information again Rob. Many thanks for your efforts on our behalf. 

[tlove17]

Hi Rob;

Thank you for this very detailed and informative thread. We are a group of Aussies travelling on Norwegian Spirit next April 2023 out of Honolulu.  Having done many P&O cruises out of Australia we have always booked a balcony cabin and loved it. We did book an inside cabin on deck 5 Royal Carribean to Bahamas one time a few years back. It was only 4 days and we survived it. Can you hear any noise; music; chairs scraping etc from Casino, night club and restaurants above  you on deck 7 on the Spirit ? We have booked inside cabins on deck 6 and are a bit anxious if we should change. All advice gratefully accepted and I have loved following your travels. 

[BklynBorn47]

Thank you OP and all who contributed information. I've just read all 6 pages
We will be B2B on the Spirit in Spring 2023 after B2B2B on Celebrity (GBR, Tasmania, NZ)  
Especially appreciated the port/tour info.

BTW - I was one of the Covid positive people on the Escape in the Mediterranean in May. (test needed to transfer to the Star)  We also stayed onboard the Escape and were very well treated, just as was described for those on the Spirit.  

[dumbth]

6 hours ago, tlove17 said:

We have booked inside cabins on deck 6 and are a bit anxious if we should change. All advice gratefully accepted

I think you should use a favorite NCL opportunity, which is bid for upgraded cabins. When they offer this a couple weeks before departure, I would bid above the minimum allowed bid and not use a round number. Often you get a wonderful bargain upgrade.

[flcraigs5]

On 5/23/2022 at 2:51 AM, NCL4EVER said:

We did the wailea beach resort in Maui nice and was allowed to use all the amenities of the resort except the pool

What was the cost of the day pass? Did you taxi over? If so cost? Thanks