Norwegian Spirit is the oldest and smallest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet of 17 ships. A team from Cruise118 enjoyed a tour of this ship, so read on to see what we discovered.
Initial impressions
Each ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet is undergoing a thorough refurbishment as part of Project Edge, with Norwegian Spirit being the last ship to benefit from this programme. At the time of our visit, Norwegian Spirit was yet to have her renovation, so we were keen to see what an older ship which was due for a refresh would look like in comparison to some of the brand-new ships we have visited.
We were pleasantly surprised by the condition of Norwegian Spirit. The ship was spotlessly clean and tidy, and whilst some of the décor was a little dated in places, she was still a truly beautiful ship.
Dining areas
One of the best things about sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line is the choice of included dining options available on board, and the Norwegian Spirit was no different. As our visit was a brief one, we were only able to sample some canapes and grab a quick bite in the buffet, but we were really impressed by both.
We visited each of the restaurants – the included dining options of The Windows main dining room, The Garden Room restaurant, Shogun Asian fusion restaurant and the Blue Lagoon and Bier Garten snack bars. We found a selection of speciality dining restaurants available too, serving a range of cuisines such as Japanese, French, Italian, a steakhouse and a sushi bar.
Unlike other cruise lines, Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t have set dining times, so you can just turn up at whatever restaurant you like at whatever time you like, as you would do on land. Around the ship, we spotted screens which showed the availability of each restaurant at each time, which looked like it would be really handy. Guests are also welcomed to book their tables in advance, should a particular restaurant be busy.
Pools and leisure facilities
The main swimming pool, The Tivoli Pool, looked really inviting. It was a decent size with plenty of loungers and flanked by several Jacuzzis.
Whilst this pool is available for everybody, it is mostly enjoyed by adults, as there is also a fantastic kids’ pool at the rear of the ship. For anyone holidaying with children, the Buccaneer’s Wet and Wild Kids’ pool is the ideal place to hang out.
This pirate-themed area has two slides and a fountain as well as two Jacuzzis. The sun loungers in this area are cleverly-positioned in an amphitheatre-style so that wherever parents are sunbathing they can see their children as well as enjoy great views of the ocean. Perfect!
Theatre and lounges
Norwegian Spirit is a medium-sized cruise ship, accommodating around 2,000 passengers. The entertainment venues are huge, meaning that guests should have no difficulty in finding a set. The 800-seat Stardust Theatre is very luxurious, with glamorous red velvet décor and a great view from every seat in the house.
We really enjoyed seeing the Galaxy of the Stars Observation Lounge. The large show bar has a stage and dancefloor in the centre, under a domed roof, whilst all around the edge are windows giving spectacular views from the front and both sides of the ship.
It also features a spiral staircase which leads down to viewing gallery so that you can have a look at the bridge and watch the captain and his team control the ship.
Our verdict
We thought that Norwegian Spirit was the perfect size – not too big and not too small. She’s only a third the size of the world’s largest ships, so you shouldn’t get lost on board, yet big enough that passengers will never get bored either. Plus, you can even dine in a different venue every night!
The focus of cruises on-board Norwegian Spirit is the itineraries, and these visit some amazing destinations, particularly in 2020 when she’ll be heading over to Asia. We’re excited to see this ship again after her 2020 refurbishment when she’ll look even more stunning than she already does.
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