Spirit questions - first-time potential cruiser

[MiddleAgedBroad]

I am trying to talk my husband into trying a cruise this summer so we don't have to deal with skyrocketing airfare. I'm specifically looking at the Spirit to the Caribbean out of New York.

 

Usually on vacation we like to chill out on the balcony, having coffee, reading a book at a very, very casual resort.

 

The Spirit looks like a nice ship; I especially like the Asian decor. But I have a couple of questions:

 

1) Is it possible to get by dining without dressing up at all? He will put on long pants if it's not too hot, but doesn't want to wear a tie or jacket or shoes other than Adidas basketball shoes...and I don't want to go any dressier than skirt/top.

 

2) He is a smoker. Are there smoking rooms or can he smoke on the balcony? He doesn't want to have to walk a mile and a half to have a cigarette. (Yes, I know, I've tried but he won't quit.)

 

3) Are any beverages included at all? What is not included, and how badly do you get ripped off for liquor drinks, sodas, juices, specialty coffees, etc.?

 

4) Is the adult pool reasonably quiet? In other words, are there places on the ship you can go to where there isn't loud American pop music being piped in all the time?

 

Any other Spirit information for a couple of casual middle-aged people would be helpful.

[Toyz711]

here's my answer to the questions, you will get more:D

1) that's what NCL is all about...resort casual every evening, every venue. long pants, yes...no shorts in the main dining rooms or specialities after 5pm. no need for suits/ties or even dress shoes. i wear casual pants and a nice top..comfy shoes for my evening wear. DH wear polo/golf shirts.

2)smoking: casino, cigar room, certain areas of the open decks, cabin and balcony

3)included: coffee, teas, milk, juices (usually available in the morning, sometimes hard to find later)..specialities coffees in the main dining at dinner. coffee maker in the cabins. bring your own sodas, if you want....NCL will tell you no, if you call...but it's done every cruise with no problems OR get a soda card (if you drink a lot of it) one set price for the whole week's sodas)

foo foo drinks run around $8 to $9, beer specials: buy 5 beers, get 1..

4)if the music around the pool gets too loud, go up one deck...open sun area..wind protectors, no crowds or noise.

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

Please see my responses below:

 

I am trying to talk my husband into trying a cruise this summer so we don't have to deal with skyrocketing airfare. I'm specifically looking at the Spirit to the Caribbean out of New York.

 

Usually on vacation we like to chill out on the balcony, having coffee, reading a book at a very, very casual resort.

 

The Spirit looks like a nice ship; I especially like the Asian decor. But I have a couple of questions:

 

1) Is it possible to get by dining without dressing up at all? He will put on long pants if it's not too hot, but doesn't want to wear a tie or jacket or shoes other than Adidas basketball shoes...and I don't want to go any dressier than skirt/top. Yes it is OK, my husband has to wear a shirt, tie & jacket every work day, he only wore slacks & a nice polo to dinner every night.

 

2) He is a smoker. Are there smoking rooms or can he smoke on the balcony? He doesn't want to have to walk a mile and a half to have a cigarette. (Yes, I know, I've tried but he won't quit.) Not sure since we don't smoke.

 

3) Are any beverages included at all? Yes- non-sweet ice tea, but there is plenty of sugar or sugar sub. to make it sweet, coffee, milk, hot tea, hot chocolate & filtered water ALL DAY at Breakfast Apple juice, orange juice & cranberry juice are offered. What is not included-Soda & Alcoholic & Non-alcoholic drinks, and how badly do you get ripped off for liquor drinks-can range from $4.25-over $10, sodas- can $2.01 includes tip, juices-not sure becuase I filled up a water bottle at breakfase to use during the day, specialty coffees-not sure I used the dark hot chocolate, coffee & hot water, a little skim milk and made my own in my insulated coffe mug I brought with me. etc.?

 

4) Is the adult pool reasonably quiet- yes, but that also depends on who you have cruising with you. My family and I used that pool when we were docked @ Port Canaveral, since my children can be well behaved and where during this time :D , it was reasonably quiet. In other words, are there places on the ship you can go to where there isn't loud American pop music being piped in all the time? I didn't find loud American pop music being played except maybe the Disco where you should find it, we had a lovely calypso band play a few times and then there was the loud American Ho down of country music one evening at the pool but other than that the pool was fine.

 

Any other Spirit information for a couple of casual middle-aged people would be helpful.

The ship is great, Galaxy of the Stars has nice jazz sometimes but other times its a disco, a New Year's Eve party or just about anything you want it to be. My DH & I love all inclusive land travel, relaxing, no cares but I have to tell you that my stay on the Spirit was one of the best vacations we have ever had. Its a ship for everyone, all ages & sizes. We were 3 generations of cruisers and everyone, I mean all 9 of us had a wonderful time.

 

 

Happy Cruising!

[dtiger]

I think you'd like the Spirit. We just wore casual pants and I wore sometomes wore capris to dinner. It's easy to find your way around the ship.

[jennifer22780]

i think you'll like it- the decor is beautiful.

the service was great, except the last morning in the dining room, which is typical of any cruise.

despite their "no jeans in windows" rule, we saw people on optional formal night in wife beaters and jeans. now that i felt was a little tacky, but you can certainly get away with a polo and slacks for your dh or something casual for you. my sister was livid at the way people dressed in the main dining room on dress up night, but the staff just did not enforce it. but there are other places you can eat at if you want to wear jeans and not have people upset with you lol

yes, the pool was pretty kid-less... my sister and i had our 8 month olds there, in their own baby pool, but other than that i dont think i saw any other kids other than 2 babies. they were all at their kid pool, in a remote area int eh back of the ship! the music was nice, and it was quite relaxing!

not sure on the smoking as we dont smoke...

if you book it, have a great time!

[KarmaElectra]

I wore shirts, capris and sandals to dinner...no problem. I actually saw them turn away a party of three where one girl was wearing jeans.

 

My traveling companion smoked on the balcony...got an ashtray from the pool deck and kept it all week, and the cabin steward would even clean it for us!

 

As far as I know (unless I missed it), there is no adult pool. You have the main pool for everyone, with hottubs around it...and an aft kiddie pool area with one hottub.

[MiddleAgedBroad]

OK, I have some more questions, if y'all don't mind:

 

1) Is it a problem if we want to bring soda and/or juice on board? We aren't big alcohol drinkers and on land vacation, like to sit on our balcony with a juice or coffee.

 

2) On the Spirit, what's the difference between "balcony" and "oceanview balcony"? I found a price that's competitive to what we'd spend for our land vacation, and it looks like "balcony" is in the rear of the ship and "oceanview balcony" in the middle. It's a small price difference; anyone know why? The balcony and view is very important to us.

 

3) What is 2.0? I gather it's some changes to how NCL does things, what does it involve?

 

4) When a cruise tour operator talks about "onboard credits", what does that mean? It sounds like a coupon book, but for what? If it's for soda cards and drinks, that would be fantastic.

 

5) What's the best way to handle land excursions? We figure that the shipboard time is the bulk of our "vacation", but what's the best way to do tours, beaches, etc. so that we don't feel like cattle being herded to slaughter? We've been in Ocho Rios in Jamaica on cruise ship day -- the market, Dunn's River Falls, etc. -- and it's always seemed like herding cattle.

 

(I told you I was a newbie. :p )

 

Thanks....

[Toyz711]

1) no problem to bring soda or water onboard. many bring juices on, mostly to use for their mixer. as long as it's not alcohol..it's fine. just remember, at many ports are you can more. i have one carry-on that had all my sodas and snacks...if they wanted to checkd it out (at check-in) they could. just remember, none of the cabins...other then the big suites...have a refrigators. we take a small folding soft-side cooler, the room sewards kept it full of ice (as well as the normal ice bucket) our sodas were ready for the next day. don't take juices that need to be kept cold...you can get some juices at the buffet, pack in your ice bucket and keep for part of the day.

2) just descriptive...a balcony is a balcony. the spirit has 5 catagories of balaconies. the main difference being location. we had a BD..middle of ship, nice location, BC was next deck up and BAs are the top of the balcony levels. the higher you could, the higher the price (usually). the only one i would be wary of is the BBs...they are aft-facing balconies, usually a great spot, but on the spirit there is a vibration that is felt more in the aft (rear).

3) 2.0 is just upgrading, menus, bedding and other things. welcome aboard drink. it's still in the "getting it together" stage, should be hearing more between now and june.

4) on-board credits are used toward your on-board account. yes, they can go toward drinks and such.

5) for more excursion advice..go to the port-of-call board for that port

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=5

there are many local, independent vendors that are used by CC members...

[AuntieBarb]

1) Is it a problem if we want to bring soda and/or juice on board? We aren't big alcohol drinkers and on land vacation, like to sit on our balcony with a juice or coffee.

 

A: You will be able to bring soda/juice onboard, but there are no refrigerators in your stateroom. I suggest taking it as "carry-on".

 

2) On the Spirit, what's the difference between "balcony" and "oceanview balcony"? I found a price that's competitive to what we'd spend for our land vacation, and it looks like "balcony" is in the rear of the ship and "oceanview balcony" in the middle. It's a small price difference; anyone know why? The balcony and view is very important to us.

 

A. No difference. All balconies have a view of the ocean. The only views I'm aware of that are limited are Oceanview:Obstructed View.

 

3) What is 2.0? I gather it's some changes to how NCL does things, what does it involve?

 

A. You can read about it here: http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/pressroom/pressRelease.html?storyCode=PR_031208_Freestyle2.0

 

4) When a cruise tour operator talks about "onboard credits", what does that mean? It sounds like a coupon book, but for what? If it's for soda cards and drinks, that would be fantastic.

 

A. That means you will get money credited to your onboard account, that can offset your expenditures (specialty restaurants, excursions, alchohol, etc.), above and beyond your daily service fee.

 

5) What's the best way to handle land excursions? We figure that the shipboard time is the bulk of our "vacation", but what's the best way to do tours, beaches, etc. so that we don't feel like cattle being herded to slaughter? We've been in Ocho Rios in Jamaica on cruise ship day -- the market, Dunn's River Falls, etc. -- and it's always seemed like herding cattle.

 

A. Unless bookings are full, booking excursions privately is cheaper and many times offers more variety. The only downfall is sometimes having to make advance deposits directly with the vendors. In that case, make sure you understand their cancellation policies. There's a lot of good info down in the Ports of Call folder.

 

The two key things you should know in favor of booking excursions with NCL is that 1) There's no hassles if you don't make the excursion because of changes in itinerary (bad weather, etc.) and 2) NCL only waits for late boarding IF it involves one of their excursions. We've been on lengthy excursions where the transportation had mechanical difficulties. We got back to the ship about an hour later than it was scheduled to leave. NCL waited for us!

 

As for being "herded like cattle", it all depends upon how popular the excursion is. That can happen with private bookings too.

[electricron]

My first NCL cruise was on the Spirit to Alaska, and while I've sailed on many others since, the Spirit is what I compare all others with. None have surpassed it in beauty. The Asian decor is out of this world!

With so many public decks aft on the Spirit, you feel like your cruising on a much older ship, overlooking the ships wake. So many new ships today have decks ontop of decks of aft facing balcony cabins and suites. You can get that experence on the Spirit simply by booking an Inside cabin.

I'm a technician at work, and the Galaxy of the Stars has the coolest technical device known to man, the ship's computer readout, showing engine rpms, propulsion motors KW, ship's speed and heading, and last of all, a satellite GPS display on where the ship is. I was in heaven!

There's so many places to eat and the food tasted great. What else could a hungry man want? The two story palladium windows in the Windows restaurant overlooks the ship wake, at dusk one couldn't ask for a better view.

Well, there was one technical thing that was slightly disappointing, the American electrical power receptacles in every cabin has a 500 Watts limitiation. So don't bring electrical appliances with heaters in them, as they will trip the circuit breakers. But that limitation can be overcome easily by using the European 220 Volt power receptacles near by; bring your own power converter to plug in your American voltage appliances; OR power plug adapters for your own Dual voltage appliances.

Have a great cruise!

[AuntieBarb]

With so many public decks aft on the Spirit, you feel like your cruising on a much older ship, overlooking the ships wake.

 

I just loved the aft decks. Great for taking a break with friends and for great sailaways!

[slotaddict]

YOu can get An ashtray for your balcony, no problem. Right in the Galaxy of the Stars across from the bar there is a smoking room. Also ashtray on the decks with signs that say you may smoke here.