Norwegian Spirit Review
Excellent Itinerary; NCL Spirit is a nice ship with some needed fixes.
Rating by category
Additional details
I had been searching for a long time for a Greek Isles cruise that included stops in Crete (Heraklion- not Chania), Malta, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Santorini. Extremely rare. So, imagine my excitement when last December (2016) this itinerary was posted for the first time! I jumped both feet in along with Sister (hubby's football season cannot be disturbed! :) ) My fifth cruise with NCL; my 17th cruise altogether. Kudos for a fantastic route with minimum sea days.
The NCL Spirit is an elegant old lady :). While you can see indications of wear & tear here & there, it was obvious that the carper and flooring in most public areas and hallways had been recently refurbished. None of the gilded elaborate ornaments and huge flowers from other ships (i.e. sister Jade). Just a simple elegance and comfortable layout throughout. I loved my Oceanview (big window) room-- comfortable and quiet on Deck 8. While hubby and I always go for the balcony, I was glad to share an OV with Sister. The phone provided was barely useful; no indications of messages. Only two outlets, none of which are nowhere near the bed. I am used to travel with electrical extensions and outlet adapters so it worked out, but not the most user friendly room on that respect. . Our room steward was horrendous, but so nice and polite. :) Never picked a dirty glass, never replace a towel if it was not on the floor, forgot often to delivered the itinerary, minimum service, never unlocked the fridge; just horrendous.
The buffet food was somewhat average to mediocre. I recently read the tremendous influx of Asian tourists in the recent years in the cruising industry. This has become very evident on the food selection, menus, even in the commercial activity at the ports. Food was OK; the same staples every day and the items selection definitely showed more variety for Chinese and Indian food selections. I am not a "foodie" so I did not mind and found tasty items to eat with no issues. but it was a bit of a down step from previous cruise experiences as far as buffet choices. The specialty restaurants were always packed and the food was a definite improvement over the buffet.
Cabin Review
Oceanview Picture Window
I loved Oceanview (big window) room-- comfortable and quiet on Deck 8. The phone provided was barely useful; no indications of messages. Only two outlets, none of which are nowhere near the bed. I am used to travel with electrical extensions and outlet adapters so it worked out, but not the most user friendly room on that respect. . Our room steward, Antonio, was horrendous, but so nice and polite. :) Never picked a dirty glass, never replace a towel if it was not on the floor, forgot often to delivered the itinerary, minimum service, never unlocked the fridge; nice person, not a good steward.
Port Reviews
Rome (Civitavecchia)
We used Civitavecchia Shuttle Express to transport same day arrival from FCO to port. Excellent service, on time, courteous drivers, comfortable vans, great value. Highly recommend.
Crete (Heraklion)
We walked from Port Terminal to a ticket booth by the exit gate for the public bus departing from Bus Station across the street to Heraklion - Knossos site. Very easy. Bus very crowded, wear comfortable clothing. Toured Knossos on our own using a photographed guide on sale at Site Store. Very interesting site, not handicapped accessible. We were pressed by limited time on port, still returned to port by bus and had time to walked around Heraklion old town-- nice stores and pedestrianized area.
Rhodes
Rhodes is charming, walkable and easy to explore. We walked from terminal to Old Town. Explore the Palace of the Great Master, the medieval streets behind the wall, very good shopping, walked to the site of where the Colossus might had been placed and it felt safe everywhere. Somebody showed me pictures of Lindos and it looked amazing. I would love to go back.
Athens (Piraeus)
I've been to Athens a number of times, but decided to go back to some places. We took the bus from Piraeus; bus was crowded, but the only option as metro was on strike the morning and it was a holiday. We bought the all inclusive 7 sights ticket for about 30 Euros per person. One of the sights was out of the way; we toured the Acropolis, Library of Hadrian, Roman Agora, Greek Agora, Museums, etc....We used the metro to returned from Athens to the ship; very, very easy; got on the station closest to the Greek Agora, no train changes, an easy walk from the station back to the port terminal. Great weather day in the low 70's (late Oct)
Mykonos
Took the ferry from the port terminal to the city of Mykonos where the iconic windmills are. About 4 Euros roundtrip. Handicapped accessible. Beautiful low 60's weather in late Oct. Place almost empty, just perfect to explore and take pictures. Some stores already closed for the season, but many open. Beautiful streets, very nice locals, beautiful views of ocean and coast. I found a store by the windmills with an amazing selection of olive oil products and other local goods at great prices. Loved Mykonos
Santorini
I actually organized a 16-people independent tour in Santorini. I used Kostas Sakavaras Tours. He was fantastic!! Knowledgeable, courteous, comfortable van, on time, great communication. Definitely THE guide for a group if looking for one. Very accommodating, everybody walked away feeling great about this tour. Santorini is not for the faint of heart. The first 6 tender boats are exclusively for the ship excursions, which tender to a different gateway on the island; you need to get tickets ahead of time the previous evening or that morning. Everybody else tender to the cable Car gateway. The cable car is NOT handicapped accessible, about 6 Euros per person and it brings you up to Phira (Fira) from where you can get a bus on to Oia (pronounced Eeah). Kostas met us at the top of the cable car on time and we had a fantastic day touring along including a great guided visit to Akrotiri. Weather in the upper 60's, some stores ready to wrapped it up for the season, a bit crowded still. Santorini is beautiful, but I take Rhodes, any day though....
Malta (Valletta)
Impressive arrival to port- "Games of Thrones" type of feeling. We used Shorebee Tours for a pre-arranged all day tour. Not impressed; guide appeared ill, walked and talked with obvious difficulties. Loved Mdina, I explored Valletta later on my own and liked it very much, beautiful, clean, excellent food, and gorgeous views. Handicapped accessible elevator about 10 minute walk from the port terminal that takes you to the top of town to further explore. There is a tourist Information booth right outside the cruise terminal and a pharmacy dispensary selling remedies over the counter right outside, very convenient. Temps comfortable low 70's late Oct.
Taormina (Messina)
"Sicily with Mario" made our day in Sicily an absolute blast. We visited Savoca, Sforza D'Agrio, Castelmola, and Taormina. He was great to work with, personable. accommodating, and very professional. Low 60's temperature on 31 Oct.
Naples
Got robbed in the metro. Five guys surrounded my Sister and I in the metro, even though we were part of a larger group. One of them knocked my sister's glasses of her face, and opened her jacket, and stripped her of her cell phone. we tried to fight them off, my sister hit one of them with her elbow, still they are extremely good at pickpocketing. On our ride back we heard other tourists relating stories of broken cars, stolen luggage, stolen cameras; just awful and horrible stories. I had it with Naples; the Vesuvius could erupt again tomorrow and Naples fell off the edge of Italy and I would not miss it.... If you are a tourist in Naples you are nothing but prey....