We are experienced cruisers, with this being our 8th cruise with Carnival and our 5th trip on the Spirit. We like the Spirit because of it's easy layout and the departure port of San Diego.
All aspects of this cruise were as expected - excellent! Leaving from San Diego is the best and because we booked a suite, we got to use the VIP check in. Baggage drop off to Lido Deck - 12 minutes! The ship is starting to show some wear, but nothing terrible. I was a little disappointed it hadn't been decked out for Christmas yet, but really not a problem.
This was just a quick 4 day turn around to Cabo San Lucas, so we decided to keep it simple - we just wanted to kick back and we did. Food was good (as usual), and the shows were some of the best we have experienced - both stage and comedy! The seas from San Diego to Cabo were perfect and the trip down and back was enjoyable.
Great cabin.....only complaint is that they are directly over the lifeboats (one floor above) which obstructs the view of the ocean below.