types of cabins and specific cruise
 

I have just booked a 12 day cruise on Spirit for Sept. 24th 03 to hawaii out of Vancouver. It looks great, but there aren't many reviews. I booked a cat. 11 suite with a wrap around balcony. I was wondering if anyone has been on this ship on and in this type of cabin and what we can expect. Also I have heard mixed reviews about the ports, and the tenders etc. I think people can sometimes get a bit out of control with expectations!<BR>Thanks

Hi Danielle,<BR><BR>I have sailed the Spirit and the Pride (sister ship). I think you may be worrying unnecessarily.<BR><BR>It is a great ship and you have an ideal cabin. A tad smaller than a Cat 12 but much better with the wrap-around balcony. Plus the wake is beautiful to look at in the late evening. It is lit up.<BR><BR>I would never chose any other cabin on the Spirit Class ships.<BR><BR>Since you are taking such a long cruise it would be a good idea to book the alternative restaurant for a night. The food is delightful if you can ignore the added charge.<BR><BR>You will never know in advance whether there will be a problem with tendering in and around the islands.<BR>The captain usually finds alternative docking areas. Things should be pretty well straightened out by 2003.<BR><BR>If you can scrape up some extra money before cruise time do book a post cruise hotel before coming home.<BR><BR>Paul

Thanks Paul! <BR>I appreciate the input!<BR>I'm very excited and cannot wait. Glad to hear we booked a great cabin. I would appreciate any other info you may know or come across.<BR><BR>Danielle

<BR>We had a Verandah cabin on the Spirit in<BR>March. Wasn't an end unit, so the layout<BR>was a bit different, but it was one of the<BR>best laid-out cabins we've ever had. Great bathroom, lots of shelf space.<BR><BR>The dining room is nice. Tables spaced farther apart than on most ships. The Lido has different food stations, some change daily. Chinese, Greek, French, etc. The Lido deli made sandwiches to order. The Nouveau Supper Club had great food, but was very noisy, especially on the upper level. They had a live band and the sound reverberated. <BR><BR>Food in the restaurant had improved over our last Carnival cruise, but was just ordinary. We did have a great waiter, but a smarmy maitre d'. <BR><BR>Didn't see any recumbent bikes in the gym, which upset me. For a ship that size, they should have some.<BR><BR>They charge extra for Yoga, Pilates, spin classes. <BR><BR>Just got off Celebrity Summit Honolulu to San Diego. Same ports. Tenders in Maui, and we were there 2 days. Rented a car and left it in a lot overnight so we could explore both days without having to return the car. Went to Kaanapali and Napili one day, then to Waialea the next. Whalers Village in Kaanapali had nice shops, as did Waialea. Can't remember the name of the mall, but good food, good selection of shops.<BR><BR>We didn't do the "touristy" stuff as we had been there before, and had done it before. <BR><BR>Lahaina is a very cute town, historical, easily walkable.<BR><BR>Our ship stopped in Nawiliwili, Kauai, in the port. Very small town. Free buses to take you to Hilo Hatties, Wal-Mart ( popular with the crew ). A free bus to a mall 8 miles away. We took it to see the countryside, and on the way back got quite a nice spiel about the flora, fauna, and mountains/hills. Another two free buses to malls about 1/2 mile away. <BR><BR>Kona was a tender port. Kailua is a great town. Hilo was a docking port, but it's 10 miles from town. Lot's of people went to the volcano, but again, we had been there and done that, and enjoyed the day relaxing on the ship.<BR><BR>Have you cruised on Carnival before? If not, be warned. The public areas are decorated in Las Vegas Overkill Gaudy. Repetitious patterns, very glitzy. Not our style, but we knew what it would be before we went, and did it anyway because of the itinerary and price. I am one that hibernates in my cabin, so that is more important to me. Give me books, give me needlepoint, give me naps. <BR><BR>I am sure you will enjoy your trip. The cruise that left Vancouver and arrived in Honolulu on Sep 24 was very smooth, and besides, the ship is big enough to ride the waves fairly well. <BR><BR>Have fun!<BR><BR><BR><BR>

Thanks Frances!<BR>Yes, we have cruised Carnival before. I have been on Carnival twice now and my husband once. We went on Celebrity, Infinity, last December. It was very nice. It was a little laid back for us though. So I think the Las Vegas atmosphere is fine. We are going with a group of other couples. <BR>Celebrity charged extra for a few of the classes in the gym as well. I just decided to work out on my own. <BR>By the way, where are you from? I read in the brochure that there is a possibility that we will fly into Seattle and be bussed into Vancouver??? 3 hrs.! How and where did they fly you? I would be interested in knowing. We may just do an air deviation. <BR><BR>Thanks!

Danielle<BR>My experience with air deviations-----DO IT!!!!!!! Do not hesitate,do not pass Go,do not blah blah blah....just do it.My friends and cruising compadres chose to be cheesy and NOT to.Big mistake.The cost is minimal compared to the cost of the cruise itself.And besides what value do you place on your piece of mind?Me, I like to know in advance exactly what I am doing.Waiting till 30 days before sailing is not a comfort.Thats my take anywayz.<BR>Jason

Jason,<BR>Thank you soooo much! I was kinda just figuring it would all work out. My husband, freaking out! I called our travel agent & she said she will check on the deviation for us. So it doesn't end up costing a small fortune though???<BR><BR>Danielle

Danielle<BR>I dont think it was more than $75 per person.I'm not an expert bu I sorta remember that figure.But to get to choose which airline--that gave us the FrequentTraveler miles TOO.So it worked for us.BTW--tell the Hubster to chill.<BR>Jason

Do the air deviation !!! There are horror stories all over the internet about the lousy flight you can get.<BR>Bad connections, families being split up on different flights, etc.