Carnival Spirit Review
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Boarding the Spirit in Vancouver was fast and efficient, then time to have something to eat and check out the ship. We had been told to go to our muster station at 3p.m. and there was another couple waiting there already with the same instructions. Waited 15 mins. and nothing happened and nobody else came so we took off to look at the ship only to be turned around by an employee at 5p.m.who sent us back; no explanation or apology was given and the 3p.m.couple were still waiting there! We then stood for ages waiting for them to get their act together and were pushed further back in the crowd as it developed with the result being the latecomers got the front row and we saw very little passed all their heads. By the time it was done we wondered why all the fuss; it was just a simple demo that could be done better on the tv and totally unlike our cruises with HAL where everyone had to actually put on their life jacket. Comparing the two I'd rather feel safe when travelling across the ocean but this way I didn't even try on my life jacket so don't know if I could even do it right in a panic situation. Also unlike HAL no roll call was taken therefore I know not all passengers had attended or would know what to do in case of an emergency.
Our dinner table mates were a good match; we had all been married for over 50 years and so wondered if this is how people are assigned? Also heard that 90% of the passengers were going on to Australia and will be onboard for 28 days but none of us were. I thought this may have also been a factor although when all was said and done we never met anyone who was going down under so was that 90% fact or fiction?
It was unfortunate I thought that our departure from Vancouver was during dinner and all those people missed the photo op of beautiful Stanley Park and sailing under the Lions Gate Bridge. Eventually our departure from ports of call happened during dinner again and again and we missed seeing the arrival or departure or a sunset until we left the ship in Honolulu. Maybe next time we'll take the later seating and see if that helps this budding photographer or perhaps go in a different season or is it possible to ask for a table at a window?
Cabin Review
I chose room #4204 on the port side 8 mths in advance of the cruise for the easy access to the elevator. As a bonus it was an easy walk down the 2 flights of stairs to the Empire room for dinner which enabled us to break into the long lineup as it would be impossible and silly to try to walk to the end of the lineup through the 4 abreast crowded hallway. We had a slightly obstructed view with the last lifeboat partially preventing us seeing where we were going but a good view of from where we came and straight out. Our room was great and a very quiet location with tons of storage and closet space; i'd stay in it again except i'm now thinking the starboard side might be better. If you can figure out your cruise route it might be advantageous to know what side of the ship will face the land and what side the ocean will be on when arriving at an island.