Norwegian Spirit Review
Rating by category
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We wanted to see Barcelona and we were there 6 days before the cruise and loved it and all the Gaudi sights plus Picasso Museum and the cathedral. The city was so busy even for the end of October. When we left for the port there were 4 ships in port so this could be one of the reasons it was so busy. FYI, we did book many of the Gaudi sights in advance before we left home. Lines were long at every place so this is a wise decision.
I had read about the Spirit in need of a refurbishment and this is very true. Our cabin was ok but the bathroom had some mold in the shower and also when you first open door. We talked to some other passengers and one lady said she could not get any response with housekeeping so she cleaned the bathroom so they could use it. Another guy said he called 3 different times to housekeeping as well with no luck so he went to the desk and demanded someone come clean it and this was at 11p.m. He said the next day or two they came in again and really cleaned the bathroom. His group had booked 5 balcony rooms so he was a bit upset, rightfully so.
We only attended a couple of the entertainment menus and they were not good so we did not partake in anymore. This time we decided not to purchase any special dining packages esp. since Norwegian has cut it back from 6 nights to 4 nights and the pricing is too high. We mostly ate in the Windows room and a few times in the Garden room. We tried to eat at Shoguns. My husband tried to make a reservation and they said no and to just be there at 5:30 when it opens so we were there at 5:30 and the receptionist was very curt and said we would have to wait an hour and 1/2. We told her what the other staff said and she just kept saying an hour and 1/2. Not sure if this was an issue but we were the only non-Asians waiting and they were all seated.
Cabin Review
Balcony
ok, but a bit worn and bathroom issues should be addressed.
Port Reviews
Toulon
I was disappointed in Toulon. We took the cable car ride up to see the whole port but we should have taken a tour to Marseilles or possibly Aix.
Athens (Piraeus)
We did the hopon/off bus here and from the port it took us into Athens and we got off at the Acropolis. We did take a tour here which was extremely crowded. Also got off at Zeus and Hadrians gate (sp) and then watched the guards at the unknown soldier memorial.
Kotor
The staff did tell us that we should get up early for the arrivall into Kotor and so we did and it was incredible. Worth getting up early. Town is not the large but there was a hopon/off bus tour but we decided to hike up to the chapel and monestary. 1500 steps or more. Steps are uneven or missing so must be careful but the view is great.
Dubrovnik
We walked the wall around the old town and then walked around the town and took in many churches and museums. Beautiful city. Wall walk takes over an hour or so.
Venice
We arrived around 2 p.m. and weather was good so we like to walk and we did to San Marco plaza. We had been there before so we took in some sights in the area and then stopped for a bottle of wine in a little café. We met a couple from our home town and they were leaving on a cruise the next morning but not our ship. Rained the next morning so we just took people mover and bus to the airport.
Florence (Livorno)
We just toured Livorno and stopped at a cute place for wine and cheese. We both had been to Florence before. We did take the hopon/off bus and also the funicular which had a beautiful church at the top in a monestary.
Barcelona
Great city and loved all of the Gaudi places and glad we had arranged tours ahead of time. Also enjoyed the cathedral plus Picasso museum.