Great ports - ship needs some improvements
Norwegian Spirit Cruise Review to Europe - Mediterranean
12 Night Grand Mediterranean (Venice To Barcelona)
Sail date: May 06, 2014
Ship: Norwegian Spirit
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: 9080
Traveled as: Large Group
Reviewed: 10 years ago
Review summary
The main reason we chose the Spirit was because of its itinerary. The ship had major challenges with organization and communication. Embarkation was a nightmare. We had to haul all of our luggage throughout long, random lines in the parking lot until we got to drop off our checked bags. The service in both dining rooms was extremely slow and even though we had made reservations, still had to wait in a line with folks without reservations before getting seated. We were a group of eight and we could only get reservations very early or late - not at the times we wanted. Food was basic and several nights had to send entrees back due to toughness. Specialty dining was pushed big time and wondered if the lack of emphasis on "free" dining was missing in order to attract more specialty dining. Entertainment was also a miss. Most entertainment was a solo act and several entertainers were featured more than once. The ship itself looked good in the main areas. Our stateroom's balcony had been painted at some point and there was paint splattered all over the railing, chairs, door, and a big glob on the floor. Water for the shower ran from extremely hot to extremely cold without adjusting it. We had to jump out of the way to keep from getting burned or frozen. This could have been dangerous to a child or an elderly person. When we first boarded the ship, most of the crew was distant and stand offish. However, by the end of the cruise, they were friendlier. There was definitely room for improvement. On a positive note, the ports were wonderful and the disembarkation process was great.
Ship experiences
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ports of call
Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italy