Norwegian Cruise Lines
Norwegian Spirit Cruise Review
Bahamas

Jung Benitez

First of all,  I’d like to mention that this is my first ever “real cruise”. My wife and I have traveled  but  not  on  a cruise like this. What  better time to do it? I joined my  college classmates and  their  families to  celebrate  a sort of “ 20th  year  class reunion” aboard this  ship.  There were 33 people in our  group,   12 kids, age ranging from  7,  to 18 and 21 adults.

July 15, 2007, Sunday,  a  perfect departure day. Sunny, calm, clear skies. At 11: 15 am, we arrived at the  Port Authority around 11:35 and took  a cab straight to  the  “Pier” where the  Spirit was waiting. We met  some  members of our group already there, checked in our luggage and waited for the  actual embarkation process. I actually got worried a little bit w/ our friend from Chicago when she told me  she’s still  there boarding her flight to NYC. But  seasoned “ cruiser” as she is, she made it  just  in time. Anyway,  all 33 of us made it   to the  Spirit as it left the port on time at 4 pm, made  her way passed  Liberty,  went under  the Verrazano Bridge and to the  Atlantic Ocean.

1. Restaurants: we ate at Raffles Buffet, Blue Lagoon, Fine Dining like Windows, Garden, Le Bistro, La Trattoria and Shogun: I say  9, out of  10. They also had “ Chocoholic Festival”, that was “sweet “.
2.On board amenities like Tivoli adult Pool, the kiddy  mini water park,  Jacuzzis,  were a hit.  My son  enjoyed  them very much.
3. Shows: the  Hypnotist show, juggler,  Broadway like shows at the Stardust were very good.
4. Clubs /lounges/bars: The  Galaxy, Champagne Charlie  and Henry’s pub were cool. We had  fun w/ the  Bingo , 1 friend won. Good music . 9/10.
5.I used their gym, too ( after those calorie filled dinners), it was small but  good equipment , nice to  jog also  in the upper deck , open air. 9/10.
6. Went to their Casino once ( I’m not a roller, unfortunately) .Smoking was allowed there, well…
7. Kiddy stuff: I guess the kids had fun at the pool, video arcade,  card room, they certainly made numerous trips to the  Blue  Lagoon, ‘not sure  if  the  teens   tried the “celebrity teen disco”.
8. Karaoke: I’m  going give  this  perfect 10.  We had a blast .
9. Port Canaveral:  Nice. Coco Beach,  luke-warm water, did a little shopping ( my son  had a new Heely’s ) 8/10.
10. Nassau , Bahamas, enjoyed the snorkeling,  my son   saw a real starfish and  had picture taken. Snorkeling I give 9/10 and  the place  8/10.
11. Private island: clear, pristine water good for  relaxation, lounging,  snorkeling, night swimming , parasailing ( 2 of the kids  tried it, I guess ) , there’s even  a hammock in the island . 9 almost 10 for me.
12. The on sea “ voyage -   you’ll feel the ship sway the more  when you’re  in  the cabin, we brought our  son to the  medical center once for  Dramamine. I’m giving 8/10 for  this.
13.  The ship's crew: a perfect 10 for them. All the crew   specially the   waiters/waitresses  went  all  their way to  accommodate and cater to all our needs.
14. The  Cabins: 9/10. My son  liked those animal  shaped towels every night when we go back to the cabin. The bathrooms are clean, beds  newly made, everything nice and clean.
15. Others:   crew photographers: they’re all over the place and follow you like paparazzi except when you’re  back to your cabin of course. 7/10 because they’re quite pricey but  we still like it, we had our  first portrait taken as family.
16. The  arrival back to NYC on  July 21, 2007, Saturday  @  10 am  was a breeze  . I’ll give 10 to both embarkation and  debarkation.

Am I going to  cruise w/ NCL again? Absolutely, the pluses exceeds  the  setbacks.