Carnival Spirit Vacation

Item: Carnival Spirit
Rating: 4
Author: LarryL

Carnival Spirit Cruise Review to Alaska - Gulf of Alaska

LarryL

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 5

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Northbound Alaska (Vancouver To Whittier)

Sail date: August 23, 2006

Ship: Carnival Spirit

Cabin type: Balcony

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 18 years ago

Review summary

On August 23, we took a Carnival Spirit cruise through the Alaska inside passage. First off the help from Alaska Airlines prior to booking the cruise was one of the best experiences I have ever had. They took care of the smallest details and answered all of our questions prior to the trip. It is always a pleasure to see things go exactly as they explained prior to the trip. Way to go Alaska Airlines!! Upon boarding the ship we were immediately greeted by the staff that would be taking care of our stateroom and members of the crew. Lunch was provided on the Lido deck and it was terrific. The ship sailed on time to the minute. The entire crew was always greeting us with a "Hello" and smiling. They made you feel like they really cared about us. Details of the ship itinerary was in our cabin and a presentation given by the cruise director was most helpful. After the first day, the ship really felt like home. Everything was orchestrated from breakfast, lunch and dinner to shows and shore excursions. There was never a feeling of not knowing what was going to happen next. Ship departed ports on-time. The highlight of the trip had to be the ship pulling in next to the Harvard Glacier in College Fjord. Absolutely magnificant the way the captain was able to manuever the ship about 1000 feet from the glacier and then turn the boat 180 degrees to give the other side the same view. The memories of this trip will live with us forever.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Our feeling was the main dining room was trying to be too concerned with presentation and "hiding" the actual items by "glitzing" up its description on the menu. If the menu said tomato, you might get a one half cherry tomato. If it said shrimp cocktail, you got one shrimp displayed very nicely on a plate. We thought the portions were too small. Yes, they would give you more if you asked for it. Lido restaurant was the best bet. Better food choices and as much as you wanted.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

The entire staff was friendly and willing to answer any questions you might have. They all smiled and said "Hello."

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

The ship was emmaculate. The maintenance of the ship goes on 24 hours a day. One problem area was the area adjacent to the pool. The normal walking area outside of the normal pool deck was extremely wet and slippery. The ice cream bar was very trecherous and because there are children on the trip they are not always cautious in this area. I put this concern on my comment card to Carnival Cruises.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Stateroom was always cared for while we were at breakfast. Upon returning from lunch there was alway fresh ice in the ice bucket and any towels we had used were replaced. During dinner they would leave a "towel animal" on our bed with two mints and the bed turned down. We never had to ask for anything because it was already done for us.

Ports of call

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5

We visited the Mendenhall Glacier and went on a whale watching trip. Both should not be missed.

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: Whale watching

Skagway, Alaska

5 out of 5

We did the Ultimate White Pass excursion. We rode up on a bus and had the best guide. Her name was Sonnet. She was able to tell us the entire story of the 1898 gold rush and the hardships the prospectors put up with. She also made the trip fun. We had a nice BBQ chicken lunch and headed for the White Pass train. We rode the train back to Skagway. This is a don't miss adventure.

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: White Pass Railroad

Sitka, Alaska

5 out of 5

The town is so quaint and the people so friendly. The scenery from the anchored ship is spectacular. Whale watching and the sea otters seem to be everywhere. The raptor center is one of the best.

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: Whale watching, sea otters

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5

We went crabbing and then had a crab feast at the end of the excursion. The guide was most interesting and entertaining.

Thumbs Up 0

Pros: Professionalism of the ship crew

Cons: Food in Dining Room

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