Norwegian Spirit a big Disappointment

Norwegian Spirit Cruise Review to Europe - Mediterranean

gkhayford

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 60

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

12 Night Grand Mediterranean (Venice To Barcelona)

Sail date: June 12, 2016

Ship: Norwegian Spirit

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 10031

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Having taken prior cruises on the Norwegian Jade and Jewel, we were overall very disappointed in our experience on the Norwegian Spirit.

Until the last 2 days of our cruise, we were unable to dependably use our cabin toilet regularly. Every morning, it would refuse to flush. It wasn't clogged, it simply refused to work and it was not until evening that the problem was resolved, only to repeat the following day. This lead to our cabin smelling like an outhouse for much of our vacation.

Another disappointment was the quality of the food served on the voyage. It was not good, unable to compete with a Hometown Buffet in terms of appeal and proper cooking. In the main dining rooms, the menu descriptions would lead you to believe you were ordering one thing only to be completely surprised by the result (eg. grilled beet and shallots as a side dish was pickled beets served cold, baked potato soup was pureed into a bland paste like offering) Steaks were dry and tough and fish was overcooked. One lasagna would have been rejected by Hungry Man frozen dinners. The service staff was excellent as always, but the food prep was amateurish at best. The sole exception was Cagney's Steakhouse specialty dining room which was very good.

The entertainment was hit and miss. We've come to expect excellent entertainment offerings on Norwegian, but generally this cruise did not hold up to that standard with only a couple of exceptions.

On previous cruises, we took advantage of making a deposit for future cruises on Norwegian. This trip we decided we will forgo future Norwegian offerings following this experience.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

Cabin Steward was good, but constant problems with toilet and noise from surrounding cabins, uncomfortable beds made this one cruise I was glad to get off of.

Ship tip

Don't bother with this ship. Pick another. Executive chef should be ashamed.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Venice, Italy

5 out of 5

Kotor, Montenegro

5 out of 5

Dubrovnik, Croatia

3 out of 5

Piraeus (Athens), Greece

3 out of 5

Mykonos, Greece

5 out of 5

Naples, Italy

3 out of 5

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

3 out of 5

Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italy

5 out of 5

Toulon, France

3 out of 5

Barcelona, Spain

5 out of 5

16 Comments

jayjayuk82 8 years ago

I went last year for 12 nights grand med cruise for my wife's 40th and I couldn't complain whatsoever. Please do not take all reviews at their word. The food for me and 3 others with us was beautiful. Have a great holiday JoityDings

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sueede 8 years ago

We had an amazing time on our 12 day from Barcelona June 22- July 6. I liked the size of the Spirit. We never felt like it was crowded. We were on deck 10 with a balcony, and I agree that the crew members went out of their way to make our vacation great. Food was good, and we especially liked Le Bistro, Cagneys, and Shogun/Tepanyaki. Even Windows and the Garden Room were great. The cruise is what you make it. Enjoy everything...

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Taylor1964 8 years ago

We loved out 12 day med cruise in may . We were on deck 9 . Room was great .. food was good too ..

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joiTOcruise 8 years ago

Oh my! I'm going in Sept with my husband and was thinking this was a one in a life time vacation! How are the excursions, anything you would recommend? I'm totally bummed now! I was looking forward to good food on a cruise!

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njcruis80239007 8 years ago

Have been on this exact cruise 2 times over 3 years and absolutely enjoyed the food offerings and the stops throughout the Mediterranean. We were on deck 11 balcony both times. Crew works super hard to make sure you have a fabulous time.

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budhakitty 8 years ago

Sorry you had a negative experience. We were on the Spirit in April. This was our fifth cruise and we had a wonderful time! We had such a great time we did buy future cruises. Don't give up on NCL!

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Cruisejunkie79 8 years ago

Hope you have a great time. :)

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karenangela 8 years ago

Ok. We will be on deck 4...

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Cruisejunkie79 8 years ago

Then it was deck 4 lol. Can't remember the exact room number but it was an outside cabin.

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karenangela 8 years ago

Lowest deck is 4. What room number??? Going next month...

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Cruisejunkie79 8 years ago

I believe it was 3.

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karenangela 8 years ago

What deck were u on??

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Cruisejunkie79 8 years ago

Had the same problem with the toilet when I went in February.

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kylehughes 8 years ago

We had excellent food and service on our 12 day cruise

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roxy1 8 years ago

was on the Spirit in June and if you have a cabin on the lower decks you my have a problem. we were on deck 10 and never had a problem. I read all the bad reviews before we went for a 12 day cruise and loved it. The only thing I would no do again is book tours through NCL. Enjoy your cruise we(4) did.

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rdavis123 8 years ago

I think the comments in regards to the food may be a bit tainted from the bathroom issues. Sure it would have a effect on me too. But seriously was the food really that bad?? There is a standard that all cruise lines follow and sure this ship was right up there. Besides if you get something you don't like they are more than happy to bring you a new plate or change your order. So for you future cruisers not so sure I'd be very worried about the quality of the food. Sorry that you had a bad experience.

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