Carnival Spirit review
Ship Review- CARNIVAL SPIRIT 2016
This has been our 3rd time on Carnival Spirit with one trip on Carnival Legend, so I am able to compare the two for those interested.
Carnival Spirit has had more of the FUN2.0 additions than Legend & the décor is more subtle.
Additions include Movie Screen on pool deck, Guys Burger Joint, Green Thunder & Waterpark, Red Frog Pub, Alchemy cocktail bar, Blue Iguana Mexican Cantina, Blue Iguana Tequila Bar & Red Frog Rum Bar plus all important Adults only Serenity Deck.
Embarkation is always smooth, If you can fill out your immigration docs before its even quicker. We always try for around 12pm embarkation so we can have lunch in the La Player Grill buffet & relax with a drink at the bar around the Serenity Deck( great place for breakfast & lunch too)
Our room was ready by 1.30 so we dropped off our backpack & went to explore the ship.
The atrium has a wow factor as its 8 stories high with an art deco feel to it & glass elevators buzzing up & down.There are always good musos playing on a stage overlooking the atrium bar.
First night we always go to Nouvea for a great start to holidays with awesome Lobster & Steak with a free bottle of wine. If you like a wine you can sign up for a wine package with some very good quality wines a lot cheaper than off the wine list. You can access the wines at any bar at anytime .Carnival have just added a Seafood corner in the afternoon for Fish & Chips Seafood Platters, etc so would be nice late afternoon.
Our bags arrived to our room seperately but within good time & we were able to unpack for the cruise . Plenty of drawers & wardrobe space & bags went under the bed.
Dining-So many options & most included in your cruise fare. Hit the La Player Grill when we got onboard but just needed a little taste test at Guys Burger Bar. Yum Breakfast burrito at Blue Iguana or taco at lunch with a salsa bar to add your favourites. Main Dining room has a great range of dishes that change everyday along with favourites that are on the menu everyday. Great experience for kids to try new flavours out without it being a stress. If they don’t like it just order chicken schnitzel or chips.
If you love food don’t miss the Chefs table with galley tour before a 7 course meal matched with wines.
Only restaurant with a charge is fine dining Nouveu for $45 per head but worth every cent & Bonsai sushi which is al a carte but big serves. Saw a number of families order ways too much when it arrived. Sit up at the sushi bar & watch you lunch or dinner being made
Entertainment- All around the ship there is something to please everyone. We loved going to Atrium bar before dinner for a drink & listen to muso’s on a stage behind bar playing guitar & singing. After dinner head to a stageshow in the theatre &/or comedy club downstairs. There’s 2 a night. You can finish the nightclub or the Red Frog pub with the band or wind down in the Piano bar. Daytime there is trivia , activities around the pools , movies & classes for dancing , juggling or scrapbooking depending on the day
Staff-Great staff, always happy, always ready for a chat & a laugh. Except casino dealers. They are eastern European & don’t smile or laugh.
Gym/Spa- Spa services are expensive as on all cruise ships. I used the gym a few times & plenty of good equipment with no waits. A plus is free use of male & female sauna & steam room.
Casino- be prepared to lose it. The tables are rigged against the player-Surprise Surprise. Too many decks in Blackjack. If you must try the computer Blackjack we had more luck there.3 Card poker is fun but learn the rules first as you can win quick & lose quick.
Drinks- No drinks package on carnival but you can get a wine package with vouchers to redeem for very nice wines. No drinks package but they don’t skimp on cocktails or service. Plenty of drinks waiters around the ship to look after you.
Cabin-Clean, functional , very comfy beds plus bedlinen is great. Air con worked well for us. Plenty of storage for clothes. We usually travel inside cabin as we don’t spend much time there & sleep ins are great with no bright light to wake you up/
Overall-As you can tell we really like this ship. Some bits of décor are a bit kitschy but just go with it & have a laugh . Nothing is too much & you feel like Carnival want you to have the best cruise. It works we have done 4 cruises & about to do 5th.