Getting to the ship: We checked out of the Tritone hotel the morning of embarkation but left our luggage to be picked up later while we did some sightseeing in Venice. I understand there is a luggage check at the Piazelle Roma also, but it costs $7 Euros per bag and our hotel was free.

I had read all the instructions on how to get to the ship via the train, the bridge over the canal, and the people mover. After we had navigated Venice for two days I was not looking forward to the hassle of all this or the distance we'd have to walk which Id already paid particular attention to while on our bus rides in and out of the city. I knew I'd have a difficult time managing my bag from start to finish and my husband would find it hard to handle his and help me too. In the end, we gave in and asked the desk at the Tritone Hotel to call us a cab. By the time we collected our luggage and got to the street, the cab had arrived. Let me just say, this was the best 38 Euros we spent on our trip. The driver took us right to the luggage drop off for the Spirit. From there we walked around the building to the next yellow building. Boarding had began at noon and when we arrived at about 3:00 p.m. all of the early boarders were now on the ship and there was no line to check-in. We walked right up to the desk. The entire process took less than 10 minutes and we were walking up the gankplank and onto the ship. We went immediately to our room. Our luggage was delivered an hour or so later.

Our Balcony Room: We were on Deck 11 in room 11116. The room was always quiet and the location was great, mid-ship toward aft. I didn't find the room to be particularly attractive with its bland white walls and white bedding. Aside from the red/gold carpet and a yellow/red desk chair there is little color in the room and it seems a bit dull. The curtains are a muted gold and the "sofa" a dull yellowish beige. The decoration didn't affect the function of the room however and the room was adequately sized for two and quite functional. Read more