NCL's Spirit

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bikevegas

Guest
Looking at maybe booking the Spirit out of New Orleans next year and was looking to get some feedback on it, good or bad. Any comments appreciated!!
 
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newmexicoNita

Guest
I haven't cruised her yet and have read both bad and good reviews, mostly good. My boss did cruise on the Spirit when it first joined the fleet about 2 years ago, loved everything about the ship. NMNita
 
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GregR

Guest
Cruised the Spirit last winter from NYC to the Southern Carribean. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Even though we had a top deck outside cabin it was somewhat small and storage space was limited. It was the first time ever that we had to have suitcases stored by the cabin attendent. Cabin had no refrigerator. The theatre is at the rear of the ship and some other unusual architecture. The ship was built for and cruised with the parent company (Star Cruises) under the name Super Star Leo, for the Asian market. Would not hesitate to cruise the Spirit again.

Greg
 
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Sassyj

Guest
We are sailing next year ,too. Please let me know if you get any good infoon this ship. We've sailed Carnival before but never NCl.
Thanks,
sassyj
 
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cruisebuddy

Guest
We did the cruise to nowhere aboard her a few years ago. The ship left Miami one night and was back in port the next morning. $99/pp for a balcony cabin! We got on rather early so we had time to explore the ship. I thought it was a beautiful ship and one that we want to sail again but haven't found the opportunity. I think you'll love it.
 
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Don Clark

Guest
I really like the Spirit.
It's old enough to keep facilities you'll find on older ships, yet new enough to have three decks of ever more popular balcony cabins.

The mostly open decks aft refects back to the era of ocean lines crossing the Atlantic. Most NCL ships have three or more decks choked by aft facing suites, the Spirit has just one deck of aft facing suites.

The interior decor of the Spirit is unique with its ever present Asian decor. It's a beautiful ship.

I know you can have a great cruise on the Spirit. :thumb
 
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jb4393

Guest
I will be going on the Spirit on Jan 13 2008 out of New Orleans by myself, the others that were going with me backed out, my fourth cruise but first on NCL.
 
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jpeterson22

Guest
We're going on spirit in 2 days. Will let you know. What have you heard.
 
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pnorth

Guest
I am trying to plan a 50th wedding anniversary cruise for my parents. Dec 25,2008 so the cruise would be Dec 21st out of New Orleans. How are the ports and any suggestions on excursions would be helpful also.
If they have wedding renewal packages, that would be great too.
 
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carynfio

Guest
Travelled on the Spirit two summers ago with a big group. We loved it. Try the restaurants with the added cost, especially the Steak House and the French Restaurant. Really, really good. The Japanese one wasn't so great, service was slow. But overall, it is great!! Have fun.
 
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vannoy

Guest
I am cruising on the Spirit in 14 days with my mother and sister. Has anyone had cabin 9500? Would love more info on this ship.
 
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suzyq2

Guest
Hi Vannoy
We will be in cabin 9500 in Dec. 08. How was it? I would appreciate any info on this ship or cabin.
Thanks, Suzy
 
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gpatillo

Guest
Took her out of NO last Nov. Loved the ship. Taking her again this Jan 4, 09. She's not the largest ship in the fleet but my wife and I prefer smaller ships. Always have. Went on Carnival Conquest once and didn't like it. The only cruise that wasn't Norwegian. The Spirit is our favorite ship.
 
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park slope guy

Guest
Went on the spirit in Jan. 07 on an 8 night to the Caribbean. It is an older ship and the cabins are definitely smaller than say the Carnival boats. The ship could use an interior refit but is satisfactory, although it won't wow you. Did not like the 24 hour grill/wok bar, thought it smelled a bit and never ate there. Thought the food served during the cruise was a bit salty even in the Italian speciality restaurant. Wished that they do like Carnival and have a 24 hour pizza/calzone bar-now that is a great after hour snack bar. The entertainment was hit or miss, sometimes very good with the Carnival dancers/singers, not so good with the comedians.Chocolate buffet is great. Worth going if you get a discounted cruise otherwise would prefer Carnival.
 
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park slope guy

Guest
Took the Spirit again in October, 2008 on a 6 night to Boston, Halifax, Martha vineyard, St. John's and loved it. They upgraded me free from an ocean view to a balcony. Food was very good including at Shogun and La Trattoria (eight courses, I was stuffed). Comedian was very good-told 200 jokes in an hour or so. NCL dancers/singers were superb and worth the price of the cruise alone. Embarkation at the various ports was a bit iffy and there were no happy hour drink specials. Advice-don't take the Martha Vineyard tour-plenty to do when you get off the boat. Also, the 24 hour wok bar is a bit iffy unless you like burger and fries. Chocolate buffett is now at night and don't bring wine bottles on board, they snag them and give you a lecture. A mature, courteous, civilized crowd, very few children helped to make this a quiet restful cruise. The cruise director was a great guy, who always listen to anyone and everyone--he deserves a medal. One thing-the cabin bathrooms are a bit cramped. All in all, I'd cruise this ship again.
 
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nmnita

Guest
Park Slope guy,

Thanks for the update. we will be on her in about 5 plus weeks. I am looking forward to the new experience. We cruise NCL about once a year, usually on the newer ships...

btw: do the cabins (balcony ones) have refrigerators?
Nita
 
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nmnita

Guest
[quote park slope guy]Took the Spirit again in October, 2008 on a 6 night to Boston, Halifax, Martha vineyard, St. John's and loved it. They upgraded me free from an ocean view to a balcony. Food was very good including at Shogun and La Trattoria (eight courses, I was stuffed). Comedian was very good-told 200 jokes in an hour or so. NCL dancers/singers were superb and worth the price of the cruise alone. Embarkation at the various ports was a bit iffy and there were no happy hour drink specials. Advice-don't take the Martha Vineyard tour-plenty to do when you get off the boat. Also, the 24 hour wok bar is a bit iffy unless you like burger and fries. Chocolate buffett is now at night and don't bring wine bottles on board, they snag them and give you a lecture. A mature, courteous, civilized crowd, very few children helped to make this a quiet restful cruise. The cruise director was a great guy, who always listen to anyone and everyone--he deserves a medal. One thing-the cabin bathrooms are a bit cramped. All in all, I'd cruise this ship again.[/quote] I have a question for you, what were the prices like at Shogun's?

Nita
 
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nmnita

Guest
We cruised her Nov 30th and had a great time. Our biggest complaint: the casino. Now, we all know cruise ships are not Las Vegas or Indian reservation casinos but the pay offs or lack of same were a joke. I have cruised over 20 times now, this was the worst by far!!!!

Now for the positive, the itinerary is port intensive which we like and the ports all have something to offer. The condition of the ship, overall is very good with new carpet, new seats in the show room and great new bedding as well as mattresses.

We are strong loyalists to freestyle dining, so it was perfect. The food, overall was quite good and I can't imagine anyone going hungry. We choose to eat 3 meals in specialty dining rooms and the other 4 nights in the main dining rooms. With rare exception there was nothing we really didn't care for.

I do think the price of wine and drinks are a bit on the high side and not allowing passengers to bring any alcohol on board is a pain. We just order a bar set up ahead of time. Yes, it is pricey, still beats paying the bar prices.

I don't know how many times you have cruised or on what lines, but I can't imagine anyone being really disappointed with the Spirit.

Nita
 
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