Review: Carnival Cruise Lines - Spirit - [January 10, 2004]

[Net Reviews]

Review By:

Reviewer Comments:

Just a brief review of our January 10-18 cruise on the Carnival Spirit, to
Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama.

This was my 15th cruise (Carnival, Princess, RCL, Celebrity, Regency) and my
husband's 10th (Carnival, Princess, RCL, Celebrity). We traveled uneventfully
on Northwest Airline from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Miami with my sister-in-law
and brother-in-law on his first and her second (RCL) cruise.

From other cruise reviews, you know the lay of the ship. So let me grade the
essentials.

Took a taxi from pier to ship. Worked much faster and easier than the ship
provided transportation.

Embarkation/Fun Pass Check-in: (A). I am not sure it was worth the bother and
time it took. Others in the regular line went through just as fast, or faster
than we did.

Ship: (A+). Loved it. I was surprised that when we boarded the ship that we
were not ushered through the atrium, but through a side door. Anti-climatic.

Cabin: (A+). It was our first balcony and we loved it. Lots of drawer space.
I especially loved the drawers under the sofa. Bathroom was wonderful and did
not get attacked once by the shower curtain. There were lots of goodies in the
bathroom including 4 disposable razors, shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste,
soap, dental floss and antacid.

Staff: (A+). The staff was wonderfully funny and friendly. Great service at
our early dining, lover level table number 239, and in our cabin #5254.

Food: (A). Wonderful selection in all venues. We ate everything and
everywhere we could!!! There was nothing I did not like. My husband got a
beef Wellington that was tougher than his knife and it was immediately replaced
by perfection. Other than that, everything was as good as it gets.

Shore excursions: (B+). Did the Belize City tour. Save your money and take
it to a soup kitchen in your own city for donation. It was a 2 hour drive
through the worst slums I have ever seen. Very sad.

Did the ferry through the Panama Canal and it was very interesting and
enlightening. Nice tour going there and coming back on a large air conditioned
bus. Lunch was provided and it was really good. They tour guides could not
have been more hospitable. We enjoyed this once in a lifetime adventure.

Shows: (A). We enjoyed them all. Great singing and dancing. The male comedian
was a little off, but still it was better than reruns in the snow at home!

Days at Sea: (A+). Most days the hot tub in the fantail area did not open
until late in the morning, but it did not hinder us from having some fun in the
sun while waiting.

Debarkation: (A+). If you have the opportunity to take the express debarkation
that happens even before the ship is cleared, take it. You need to be able to
carry off your entire luggage, be an American citizen and have the correct
forms of identification (passport, or birth certificate/picture ID. The
cruise line is pushing for everyone to get a passport. Seems as though that is
what travel is coming to very soon.

Would travel the Carnival Spirit and with Carnival Cruise Line again in a heart beat!