Carnival Spirit Review
Eight Days on the Good Ship Spirit to Tropical Paradise
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This was our fifth cruise, first time without kids and with friends, plus Cruise Critic pals. We think it was our best cruise so far. We live in San Diego so we were dropped off and picked up at the cruise terminal. We did get caught in the rain and hail in the long line to enter the terminal, but our cabin was ready and full of sunshine when we arrived. It was cold and chilly on deck at sailaway, so we drank coffee and hot chocolate and then had the brilliant idea of jumping into our suits and taking advantage of the bubbling jacuzzi on the aft deck. So we watched the Port of San Diego disappear as we left the bay, followed by Holland America's Maasdam.
Everyone had to adjust to rough seas that evening, and dinner was a bit of a challenge. By Saturday, the next day, it was warm and sunny enough to sunbathe on deck chairs. We enjoyed a gift exchange and meet & greet with Cruise Critic members on Saturday, and our "leader" Tigger B, arranged for us to have a get-together with the Captain and senior staff the next morning at 11. Both were very nice events, and made cruising all the more pleasant for having met so many people and ship's staff. As promised, later in the cruise, the Captain made announcements of whale sightings and the ship even changed course a bit for us to enjoy the view.
Food, entertainment, cabin staff, dining room staff, cleanliness, friendliness and ship layout all earn high marks from us. Room service was timely. Bar service absolutely lovely. The Spirit Showband played excellent jazz music at various venues throughout the ship and we especially enjoyed the before-dinner music and cocktails in the Atrium. Photographers did a fine job. We did one shore excursion in Acapulco, to a snorkel site on Isla Roqueta, and created our own snorkeling excursions in Zihuatanejo & Manzanillo. Fellow passengers were friendly and pleasant for the most part. The ship never seemed crowded, whether in the Lido buffet, in the dining room, on elevators, in the gym or spa, pools, decks, or jacuzzis. Even the hallways never got crazy with people traveling back and forth. We were told the ship was full, but it seemed very uncrowded and comfortable.
Cabin Review
Balcony
Balcony cabin 6147 is way fore on the starboard side. That is to say, near the front of the ship on the right hand side. We had sunsets on the way south and sunrises on the way north. We were close to the elevators but never heard a sound. Cigarette smoke from a next door cabin would infiltrate through the vent, and we solved that dilemma by opening the cabin door and the balcony at the same time for a whoosh of fresh air. The cabin was clean and comfortable and everything was in working order. Plenty of storage and places to hang wet suits and towels. Cabin attendants kept everything well supplied, including ice and dry beach towels.