Norwegian Spirit is the vessel which we call home for the next 16 days. Our cruise takes us from Barcelona through the Mediterranean Sea across the Atlantic to the Caribbean and then up to Port Canaveral, Florida. Along the way we will stop at 5 islands.
The ship is older, but well maintained. William is happy to find a reasonably sized shower within our cabin - definitely larger than the one we had at the B&B in Scotland. With a guest to staff ratio of approximately 2:1 we are well cared for and needless to say there is food available 24 hours a day.
The ship is older, but well maintained. William is happy to find a reasonably sized shower within our cabin - definitely larger than the one we had at the B&B in Scotland. With a guest to staff ratio of approximately 2:1 we are well cared for and needless to say there is food available 24 hours a day.
Norwegian has what they call Freestyle Dining. Guests can make reservations for the dining rooms or just show up and based upon availability get a table. We are provided the option of a table to ourselves or sharing a table with other guests. Like most of the cruise lines they have specialty restaurants where they charge more, but we find the food in the dining rooms to be generally good, and some meals very good. There's also buffets and a small restaurant which serves pub food.
As a result of Freestyle Dining and sharing of tables during some breakfasts we meet a variety of people, many whom we enjoy being with and sharing stories. A few of the stories....
One woman in her early 60's lives on a houseboat in England. She frequently takes cruises during November and December to escape the cold, dreary days during those months.
A Scottish man from outside of Glasgow met a woman from Perth, Australia a couple of years ago while on a cruise. They maintain a long distance relationship and meet two to four times per year, normally for a two to three week vacation/cruise.
An Irish man explained how he owns beds in four different cities, but only one roof. A friend in Atlanta, Georgia said he could use the lower level of his home whenever he wants if he furnished it; he has a bedroom (including bedroom set he provided) in each of his son and daughter's homes in Ireland; and he owns a home in the hills outside of Alicante, Spain. He takes a trans-Atlantic cruise to the US late each Fall and a cruise back to Europe in Spring.
We also me a couple from Holland who are doing several months of home exchanges in the US when we arrive in Port Canaveral. They vacated their home in Holland earlier this year to bank up the months, turning it over to Americans. During that time they traveled around Europe in their motor home.
As a result of Freestyle Dining and sharing of tables during some breakfasts we meet a variety of people, many whom we enjoy being with and sharing stories. A few of the stories....
One woman in her early 60's lives on a houseboat in England. She frequently takes cruises during November and December to escape the cold, dreary days during those months.
A Scottish man from outside of Glasgow met a woman from Perth, Australia a couple of years ago while on a cruise. They maintain a long distance relationship and meet two to four times per year, normally for a two to three week vacation/cruise.
An Irish man explained how he owns beds in four different cities, but only one roof. A friend in Atlanta, Georgia said he could use the lower level of his home whenever he wants if he furnished it; he has a bedroom (including bedroom set he provided) in each of his son and daughter's homes in Ireland; and he owns a home in the hills outside of Alicante, Spain. He takes a trans-Atlantic cruise to the US late each Fall and a cruise back to Europe in Spring.
We also me a couple from Holland who are doing several months of home exchanges in the US when we arrive in Port Canaveral. They vacated their home in Holland earlier this year to bank up the months, turning it over to Americans. During that time they traveled around Europe in their motor home.
There's daily entertainment, which we tend to take advantage of in the evenings. Each night there's a show in the main theater along with four different music venue's. Mid-day brings live music or DJ to the pool area. There's also the variety of games and activities dreamed up by the cruise director and his staff. We spend the bulk of our days reading. William is proud to announce that he completed Atlas Shrugged, which is a very long read. I decided to bring a diverse set of books for the trip and make my way through The Wright Brothers, The President's Shadow, The Last Founding Father - James Monroe and the Nation's Call to Greatness, and Princess - A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia.
We found that six continuous days at sea caused stir-craziness in some of our fellow passengers. The practice of placing beach towels on prime deck chairs early in the day and then disappearing until early afternoon caused frustrations and outbursts, including incidents on both days five and day six where the ship's security team step in to calm disputes. On our last full sea day William whiled away some hours between our breakfast and lunch at the Casino, where they offer $1 Blackjack tables from 10am to noon.
One of the advantages of taking a Trans-Atlantic cruise is the avoidance of jet lag when arriving at our destination. Cruising from the east to the west is great in this regard - how can you complain about seven 25 hour days?
We found that six continuous days at sea caused stir-craziness in some of our fellow passengers. The practice of placing beach towels on prime deck chairs early in the day and then disappearing until early afternoon caused frustrations and outbursts, including incidents on both days five and day six where the ship's security team step in to calm disputes. On our last full sea day William whiled away some hours between our breakfast and lunch at the Casino, where they offer $1 Blackjack tables from 10am to noon.
One of the advantages of taking a Trans-Atlantic cruise is the avoidance of jet lag when arriving at our destination. Cruising from the east to the west is great in this regard - how can you complain about seven 25 hour days?
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