We have just returned from an absolutely lovely vacation: Vancouver-Hawaii 12 days (5 days trans-Pacific, 7 days around the Hawaiian Islands) aboard the Carnival Spirit. I must say we were impressed by the Spirit. We have sailed on Carnival before, and enjoyed the experience, but the Spirit is much more tastefully turned out than the other Carnival ships we have been on. The floors have beautiful marble inlays, there is generous use of wood, lovely stained glass light fixtures and beautiful art glass objets in niches in the stairwells. Gone are the tacky purple/red/orange stripes/plaids, etc. that some of her Carnival sisters display.

The cabins were very comfortable, and the shower curtain didn't attack us every time we showered as was the case on the Triumph, where we spent more time disentangling ourselves than shampooing!

The staff was marvellous: our dining room staff Murali and his assistant Ahmed could not have given us better service--they were without a doubt the best waiters we have ever had on any cruise. We were at a large table with 10 other friends and we were the last to leave almost every evening. Never did they complain, they served us with grace, creativity and a never-ending smile! Read more