We were on the Lucky cruise which left NY on August 23. We beat out rain and Hurricane Gustav. Embarking: The Spirit was late coming into port..we go there about 12:00 and were told we would not be able to board until 1:00...no biggie..every thing was orderly and what I expected...My 5th cruise...We were on board by about 1:30...Knew from this board to go to windows for lunch...NCL was directing everyone to Raffles...Windows was not crowded and the 6 of use were seated right away and had a very nice lunch. While we were at lunch the announcement came on that our cabins were ready. Cabins: I must admit that the cabin was nicer then i had been lead to believe by some reviews. The striped bedspread was gone and just a strip of ii remained. The lovely white duvet cover was just perfect..I have to say we were very lucky on the 3rd or 4th day of the cruise we got the new mattresses.YEAH...OUr Room Steward was great and we had 5 towel animals when our beds were turned down. Food: I must admit the food was just OK..we ate in Windows and the Garden for most of our meals. The service was fine and the waiters were for the most part friendly..as was all the staff on the ship. The food was nothing special but I found something to eat at every meal and of course never missed one. The cold fruit soups were to die for...and got one whenever I could. We didn't eat at any specialty restaurants...so can't tell you about them. Entertainment: I was happy with almost everything we saw. It was what i expected aboard a cruise ship. The Broadway Show was good...Second City was fantastic and saw them 3 times...The Radio show was good also..The magician was also very good...I somehow missed the other comedy shows..late dinners I think. Don't miss Second City really thought they were great! Ports: got to every port early even though we only had 3 engines. San Juan: was lovely when wee first disembarked we walked up to el morro to see the fort..it was very very hot but worth it ..on the way did did some shopping or looking..at 6:00 we had an evening tout with Debbie from the legends tours..she was terrific and so informative..she even told us how to take the best pictures.. Tortola: Went on the NCL tour of Bath..was amazing to see..we had to take a boat and then an open air safari type truck to get there. We went to the first beach looked at all the huge rocks and swam a little..then it was off through the caves to the second cave...definitely worth the climbing and you should make sure you do it. Then back to the ship. Samana: We took the NCL Mangrove, Rain forest, Cave and Beach excursion...we took a boat to explore the mangroves and rain forest.. we were able to get out on the small island and explore the caves...we even saw bats...then it was back on the boat to the most beautiful Beach Cayo Leventado..It was great and the water was clear and warm and perfect. Pool: The pool was nice but really too small for the amount of people on the ship..good time to go was very late in the afternoon otherwise hard to find chairs..The children's pool was great and the kids looked like they were having a great time. I know that I read that there was no music at the pool ..I guess NCL must have read the board cause there was music up on the pool deck everyday. Spa: There is no spa package on the Spirit..you were able to use the facilities whenever you wanted. No spa pool except the Aqua pools..I had a massage and it was fantastic...love my massages! Disembarking: This was also fine we chose the last possible time to get off the ship..there was a little waiting but that is to be expected. We found our luggage and went to the car that was waiting for us. Hated to come home and hated going back to work..needed more cruise time..The only problem that we had was my DH left his suit in the garment bag at the pier...It ended up costing us $75.00 to get it back. Oh well live and learn This was a great cruise and lots of fun...We were lucky cause in San Juan it had poured the whole day before we got there and in Samana we came the day after Gustav...Weather was beautiful..and I got a little too much sun..can't wait for my next cruise..maybe the Baltic