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• Carnival / Cruising / Ship Reviews

Carnival Spirit Review: 20 Things I Loved and 5 Things I Didn’t Love

by Prof. Cruise · Published August 31, 2022 · Updated August 31, 2022

Introduction

There’s something you should know about me. In high school I was in the Pep Club, which was a fallback for those who weren’t coordinated, pretty, or popular enough to be a cheerleader. We wore outfits that looked just like cheerleader outfits though, so when someone would approach me in the grocery store and say, “oh, you’re a cheerleader for Skyview?,” I’d totally lie and say I was. Shrug. Anyway there’s this cheer we used to do that went like this:

We’ve got spirit, yeah, yeah

We’ve got what, what, what, what, what, what, what, what, what, what what

We’ve got SPIRIT!

So fast forward about 15 years (or maybe closer to 20, okay, 25) and now I’m the mom of a 9-year-old wannabe teenager who gets embarrassed by everything I do (short of adding money to his ship card for the arcade, then all-of-a-sudden we’re best friends). I’m really not mad at this, because embarrassing your kids is one of the few perks of parenting. And I went all in as we crossed the threshold of the Carnival Spirit for our latest mother/son cruise when, you guessed it, I launched into my SPIRIT cheer, dramatic arm motions, spins and kicks, and all! I would have worn the outfit too, but it’s shrunk like 6 sizes since high school (just smile and nod and pretend like you believe the skirt got smaller instead of my waistline growing wider).

In any case, that’s how our cruise onboard the Spirit started. Stay tuned to find out how it ended.

And read on for the highlights of what happened in between. But first, a ship tour (don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel):

A Tour of the Carnival Spirit

20 Things I Loved about the Carnival Spirit

Here are 20 things I particularly loved about the Carnival Spirit:

1. Design and Furnishings on the Carnival Spirit

There are lots of words that come to mind when attempting to describe the design and decor choices on the Carnival Spirit. For this Instagram reel, I went with “understated:”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prof Cruise (@profcruise)

I dunno, it must have been Opposite Day or maybe I was blitzed out of my mind on my new favorite Carnival cocktail (stay tuned). In any case, I returned home to undergo expensive plastic surgery to remove an elongated nose. And to avoid it growing right back, here’s how I’d really describe the design and decor on the Carnival Spirit: garish, flamboyant, loud, gaudy, splashy, and ostentatious.

But I mean that in the BEST possible way, because I LOVED it! Not because I have terrible taste (no offense to my 9-year-old or anyone else who finds this ship beautiful!), but because I appreciate irony. Trust me, this ship will have you talking and laughing and shielding the eyes of young children (there are a LOT of naked women around the ship and you can make a game out of finding them – kind of like the cruise ducks).

Speaking of naked women, I gave a crew member quite the shock when I stepped out of the bathroom in my birthday suit to discover him working on the tender boats right outside my window. Which brings us to one of the things I loved most about my sailing on the Spirit…

2. My 4K Cabin on the Carnival Spirit

This will go down as my favorite “interior” cabin ever! Why? Because it had a giant floor-to-ceiling window with a (bit of a) view! Before you conclude, once and for all, that I have no credibility, see a tour and read my full review HERE . You might still think I have no credibility, but I wasn’t lying about the window, right?!?

3. The Crew on the Carnival Spirit

Say what you will about Carnival, but I’ve sailed 30ish times on most non-luxury cruise lines and can tell you that the crew on Carnival is always the best. Our sailing on the Spirit was no exception. They were kind, friendly, high energy, patient, and efficient.

I brought along some of these cute cards (available on Amazon HERE if you want to pick up a pack before your next cruise) and passed them out at the end of our sailing with a personalized thank you note and an extra cash tip:

I’m always amazed at how hard ship crew work (especially post-Covid) to make our vacations so special.

4. The Glass Whale Tail on the Carnival Spirit

Looking at the exterior of whale tail on the Carnival Spirit from the outside, you might get the impression that this ship is classy. But step inside the funnel, where the Nouveau steakhouse is located, and you might find yourself wondering if a renaissance painting threw up in there:

Lol, just kidding (it’s pretty cool actually). But seriously, I adore the glass whale tail funnel on the Spirit – it’s beautiful and unique. It’s also featured on the Carnival Miracle, which I sailed on last summer, so I was happy to see it again on her sister.

5. The Heated Pool on the Carnival Spirit

The pool on the Spirit was so warm that we elected to stay on at port in Juneau where it was chilly and rainy and go swimming instead! And I don’t mean warm to a 9-year-old who refused to wear pants for the entire duration of his 8th year, it was warm to someone (me) who owns a pair of heated gloves she wears to walk the dog anytime the temp dips below 60 degrees. We had the entire pool deck to ourselves and had a blast!

6. The Basketball Court on the Carnival Spirit

While the basketball court was small, it did the trick and was my son’s favorite spot to hang with friends. Sometimes I’d pretend to walk the track to spy on him, but I’d barely make it one (very short – stay tuned) lap before he’d notice and accuse me of being the most embarrassing mom. Not just on the ship, but on all ships, in all lands, throughout history. I asked if he’d print me a certificate for the wall saying that.

7. The Serenity Deck on the Carnival Spirit

Fine kid, if you need me, I’ll be on the Serenity deck, so find a cooler mom to stand in the pizza line for you!

Located aft, the adults only serenity deck features comfy loungers and clamshells, a pool, two large hot tubs, a bar, and a coffee shop. A perfect spot to pretend you’re hiding from your kid who is really hiding from you!

8. Window Seats in the Jungle on the Carnival Spirit

The large porthole windows in the “Jungle” area made for a perfect spot to sit and read, play video games, gaze out at the scenery, complain about unruly teenagers (stay tuned), and take ironic photographs for Instagram.

9. Complimentary Gym/Spa Amenities on the Carnival Spirit

While most newer ships require guests to purchase a spa pass in order to use saunas, steam rooms, and indoor hot tubs, these amenities are available for free on the Carnival Spirit. There are also huge showers and locker rooms offered in the spa/gym area. These are some of my favorite features of the Spirit class ships on Carnival.

10. Spin Bikes in the Gym on the Carnival Spirit

Before we move on to food, I should mention that because I cruise so frequently and eat so prolifically, I begrudgingly visit the gym most days. And if I’m lucky I can sneak onto a spin bike (usually only available if you pay to take a cycle class) for 30 minutes before gym staff notice and kick me off. But for the FIRST TIME EVER, spin bikes were available for anyone to use at any time, no class required (or available – so not so great for those who prefer to take a class) on the Carnival Spirit. There are 4 bikes and I never had trouble, even at the most crowded times, getting one.

Now, onto the reason I needed those spin bikes…FOOD!

11. Main Dining Room Desserts on the Carnival Spirit

While those of us who cruise frequently are hoping Carnival will roll out some new dinner menus soon (only because we’re getting bored of the same selections on every cruise), there are some classic items that NEVER get old. High on the list are my two favorite desserts: Carnival Chocolate Melting Cake (you can find out how to make this at home HERE ) and Bitter and Blanc. And remember what I said about the amazing crew earlier? Well I forgot to order two ice creams with my melting cake one night and my waiter read my mind and brought me two anyway (try it with peanut butter too, if you’re a peanut butter/chocolate fan).

You can see the current Carnival dinner menus HERE .

12. Coffee Shop Desserts (extra charge) on the Carnival Spirit

I’ll discuss the disappointing buffet cakes later, but thankfully the chocolate cake available at the coffee shop for a small extra charge ($2.25, but we had a ton of onboard credit to burn through, so it didn’t cost us anything out-of-pocket) is rich, moist, huge, and delicious! My son also loved the doughnut he ordered, but nothing tops the chocolate cake in my (sugar addicted) mind.

13. Bonsai Sushi (extra charge) on the Carnival Spirit

Looking for other fun ways to burn through our onboard credit, we ate twice at Bonsai Sushi. Perhaps an odd choice for two vegetarians who don’t eat seafood, but we really enjoyed the light and tasty soup, salad, and noodle dishes we ordered.

But the desserts were the highlight, both excellent!

14. Deli on the Carnival Spirit

While the buffet can be hit or miss on Carnival (usually miss, although it was better on the Spirit than it had been onboard my prior Carnival cruise on the Panorama), the deli is always a winner! Keep in mind that you can order a custom sandwich or wrap (as long as they have the ingredients, they’ll make you whatever you want).

15. Blue Iguana Cantina on the Carnival Spirit

The Blue Iguana Cantina is another one of my favorite complimentary dining options on Carnival ships. I especially love the breakfast burritos and arepas!

16. Sea Day Brunch on the Carnival Spirit

But perhaps my favorite feature on Carnival, and something no other line can compete with, is the Sea Day Brunch.

Here’s the menu:

Carnival Sea Day Brunch Menu

17. Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini on the Carnival Spirit

I always like to try something new on every cruise, so this time I opted for a new cocktail in the dining room for our traditional last night toast. I went with the Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini and loved it. Sweet pineapple with a hint of chili flavor. It reminded me of stopping at a roadside stand in Costa Rica to sample fresh pineapple brushed with chili powder. Delicious!

Here’s the cocktail menu in the main dining room where you can find it (the Carnival Cosmo, Espressotini, and Chocolate Martini are also excellent choices):

Let’s move on from food to entertainment…

18. 88 Keys Production Show on the Carnival Spirit

While Carnival can’t really compete with other lines when it comes to production shows, I thought all the shows on the Spirit were quite good, I think mostly due to one of the lead male vocalists who was OUTSTANDING. He played the “piano man” in my favorite of the 3 shows we saw: 88 Keys. Don’t miss it, especially if you like Elton John and Billy Joel (if you haven’t figured out my age yet, that’s a big clue…lol).

19. Naturalist on the Carnival Spirit

Chris Mirabal was our onboard naturalist and, while he wasn’t the best naturalist I’ve ever had on a cruise, I was just SO HAPPY to have a naturalist (they’ve been hit or miss on my post-Covid cruises to Alaska and they make such a difference in the experience). He gave several presentations and broadcast regular commentary over the ship’s P.A. system in public areas of the ship. He also made an announcement anytime he spotted wildlife.

20. Towel Animals on the Carnival Spirit

I listed this one under “entertainment,” because we spent a long time trying to figure out what the animal in the first photo was. I posed this question on my Instagram page and the consensus was that it was an elephant. But I disagreed and then we got an actual elephant (in the second photo), so it definitely wasn’t that. Post your guess to the comments. There was also a towel animal folding class that we attended. Even though it was fun, I didn’t post a photo because my son told me my bear was “so embarrassing!”

5 Things I Didn’t Love about the Carnival Spirit

No cruise is perfect, but thankfully there were many more things I loved about the Spirit than things I didn’t love. Here are a handful of things that could have been better:

1. Buffet Cake on the Carnival Spirit

First, some context for the below photos. Just a few days before embarking on this cruise, I spent the night in the emergency room with my 3rd bout of severe stomach pain followed by days of debilitating illness (body aches, fever, nausea, chills, etc). Long story short, I was poisoned by a now recalled “health food” (a vegan lentil crumble made by Daily Harvest – Google if you’re interested…it’s quite the thing!). Anyway, on embarkation day I ordered every one of the cakes on the buffet for two reasons. First, to test out my stomach. And second, to stick it in the eye of everyone who’d been teasing me for being poisoned by vegan health food: “oh yeah, well look at my diet now!”

Anyway, I’m heartbroken to report that the buffet cakes, which are normally excellent on Carnival, were dry and lacked flavor. My in-laws who’d been on the Spirit a few weeks before us told me this and I refused to believe them (they can be particular when it comes to food and I usually like everything). But it was true. Didn’t stop me from eating them though (but if you want excellent cake, go with the chocolate from the coffee shop).

And I’m happy to report that my stomach cooperated and I’ve given up on “healthy” vegan food at home in favor of cake!

2. Gym Hours on the Carnival Spirit

Gym hours on Carnival are always so bad. The gym didn’t open until 7am on the Spirit, which is pretty late for those who like to get a workout in before heading out to port or before their kids wake up. Considering how much food is available on a cruise ship, the gym should really be open 24/7 to keep as many people as possible from the medical unit. Maybe they’ve got a kickback deal with the ship doctor. I dunno. But this is one thing that really irritates me about Carnival versus other cruise lines. And I’m not alone – there is always a huge line of people by the time the gym opens, some arriving as early as 6am expecting it to be open.

3. The Promenade Deck on the Carnival Spirit

Those who follow my blog know how much I love a wide, wraparound promenade deck. One of my favorite (nerd alert) cruise activities is to walk the promenade deck while listening to an audio book and looking for wildlife. And while the Spirit had a decent promenade deck (although it didn’t go all the way around the ship), most of it was blocked off with “crew only” signs and seemed to be used as a crew hangout spot and smoking area. I’ve never seen this before and it was very disappointing.

4. The Jogging Track on the Carnival Spirit

And if you’re thinking, “I don’t care about the promenade deck or gym hours because I’ll just get up early and hit the jogging track,” you’ll find it so tiny that you’ll need to maintain a turtle’s pace to avoid becoming dizzy and so narrow that the only soundtrack you’ll hear is, “passing on your left!” A sign posted said “60 times around = 1 mile” (that’s an exaggeration, but only a slight one).

Obviously, what you should be thinking is, “I don’t care about the gym or promenade deck OR track because I’m on vacation and only plan on leaving my lounger to pee (what are husbands and kids for if not to bring you more pizza and soft serve, right?).

5. Rowdy Teens on the Carnival Spirit

It was bad enough that I had to sail with my own pint-sized teen impersonator, but the legit teen crowd on the Carnival Spirit was the rowdiest and most disrespectful I’ve ever experienced on my 30ish cruises. Now while I’m old enough to qualify as a curmudgeon, I’m pretty laid back and don’t mind kids and teens having a good time (in fact, it makes me happy to see them having fun). But some (certainly not all) of the teens on the Spirit were painting the walls of the Jungle with ice cream, sitting in the middle of the basketball court vaping, using racist language, and loudly insulting people as they walked by. If you ever see my kid doing any of that, please alert me so that I may box his ears before banishing him to our cabin closet with no screens for the remainder of the sailing. Actually his life. Thanks!

I concluded this cruise on the Carnival Spirit much like I started it, with a few modifications to fit my somber mood as we disembarked:

We had spirit, yeah, yeah

We had what, what, what, what, what, what, what, what, what, what what

We had spirit. But now we have to go home.

Then I started sobbing, my head hung low and arms drooping. And my son, whom I swear popped out of the womb embarrassed because my face was red and I was out-of-breath from pushing (get it together MOM!) responded with, “OMG mom, you’re sooooooooo embarrassing!”

But even he will admit that we had a great time on the Spirit together. And I hope you do too, if you’re lucky enough to be booked on her. And with that…

Class Dismissed.

Don’t forget to PIN and share to your social media groups!

Homework (10 points) : Post any questions about or experiences with the Carnival Spirit to the comments. Then check out my Guide To Complimentary Dining Venues On Carnival .

And don’t forget to subscribe to the blog (scroll up to the top right if on a computer or keep scrolling down if on a mobile device) and follow  Prof. Cruise  on your favorite social social media sites:

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6 Responses

• Pingbacks 1

Mystery towel animal…Jar Jar Binks

You win! LOL!

Please accept a virtual ship on a stick! Congratulations! LOL!

I had one of those cabins on the Carnival Miracle this year to Alaska. We snagged one between the lifeboats too and, as long as they are available, I would definitely get one. I agree with you on the repetitive menus! The only different food I’ve had on Carnival in years was eating at the alternative restaurants on the Mardi Gras. Planning on going back again in two months.

I also agree on those horrible cakes on Lido at lunch. I’ve tried several and the only one that doesn’t suck in my opinion is the German chocolate cake… Only because the moisture from the coconut mixture kind of helps moisten up the dry chocolate cake. I believe they must have them on made at some bakery because they are all identical from ship to ship! They should find a new bakery.

[…] (10 points): Read my recent review of the Carnival Spirit. Wait, who am I kidding? Save yourself some time and finish reading War and Peace. Or just check […]

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About Prof. Cruise

Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. With a concentration in cruising.  Home port: Seattle.  Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human.  Lover of books and dessert.  Fancies herself a bit of a comedian – you’ve been warned.

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Carnival Spirit

Activities & entertainment

• Art Auction *
• Beauty Salon Classique *
• Carnival WaterWorks
• Dance Classes
• Deck Parties
• Dancin Dance Club
• Louis XIV Casino *
• Evening Kids Programs *
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes *
• Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast *
• Groove For St Jude *
• Ice Carving Demonstrations
• Jogging Track
• Photo Portraits *
• Whirlpools (3)
• Seuss_A_Palooza Parade and Storytime
• Retail Shops *
• Spa Carnival *
• Spa Parties *
• Sports Court
• Steam Room *
• White Party
• Wine Tasting *
• Waterslides (2)
• Serenity _ Adults_Only
• The Warehouse *
• Circle C _ Tweens Club
• Camp Ocean _ Kids Club
• Club O2 _ Teens Club
• Carnival Seaside Theater
• Comedy Shows
• Live Nightly Music
• Outdoor Movies
• Pharaohs Palace Main Lounge
• Empire Restaurant - Main
• La Playa Grille Lido Restaurant - Buffet
• Fountain Cafe - Coffee & Pastries *
• Guys Burger Joint - Pool Grill
• Bonsai Sushi - Sushi *
• Alchemy Bar - Cocktail Bar *
• BlueIguana Cantina - Mexican
• Shanghai Piano Bar - Piano Bar *
• Pizza - Pizza
• RedFrog Rum Bar - Pool Bar *
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar - Pool Bar *
• RedFrog Pub - Pub *
• Deli - Sandwiches
• Ol Fashioned BBQ - Barbecue
• SkyBox Sports Bar - Sports Bar *
• Nouveau Restaurant - Steakhouse *
• Room Service *
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About Carnival Spirit

The 88,500-ton, 2,124-guest Carnival Spirit is hosting families for fun-filled memorable vacations. This mid-sized Spirit Class ship underwent a multi-million-dollar makeover in 2018. Step aboard and take advantage of exciting amenities, including chic lounges, a pool and a beautiful nine-deck atrium with lots of attractions.

Ideal for all age groups, she offers a variety of places to relax, such as the serene adults-only area for guests 18 and over. Hot rock treatments at spa, salon services for men and women and a well-equipped fitness studio help you maintain your wellness goals. While you are unwinding in this delightful spot, the kids will be having a ball in the supervised youth program with its age-specific activities.

A romantic wedding chapel is the perfect setting in which to say your "I do's" or renew your vows. The thrilling water park has an adrenaline inducing waterslide and power-drencher. Take a dip at the domed swimming pool. Play a round of mini-golf and participate in fun lip-sync competitions.

Your taste buds are also on vacation with lots of palate-pleasing dining choices . Grab a slice of hot and fresh pizza, a mouthwatering burger, grilled fare, sushi or a prime cut of steak. Special multi-course gourmet dinners are served in a private setting and you'll find venues dedicated to Mexican cuisine, seafood, ice cream and more. The dining room menu includes vegetarian options, a kids menu plus incredible buffets. Convenient room service is also available 24/7.

A variety of accommodations is available. Select from inside staterooms, those with an oceanview or private balcony and suites. Families also have great options as some of these comfortably accommodate three or four guests.

Dazzling production shows, popular poolside dive-in movies, guest participation game shows, music and more, light up the nights. Laughter is always on tap at the comedy club and sing along at the piano bar over cocktails. Challenge your luck at the casino with blackjack, roulette, poker and slots. Dance into the wee hours to live bands and DJ's in multiple hot spots.

Cruise on the fun Carnival Spirit to worldwide destinations.

Grand Suite

A Grand Suite aboard Carnival Spirit features even more space than the standard suite — plenty of room in your room! This stateroom is loaded for an unparalleled experience: VIP check-in, a huge balcony, and even a convenient dressing area with vanity.

Vista Suite

Don’t get us wrong — a Carnival Spirit Vista Suite stateroom is a lovely room with all the suite fixings. But the thing to see here is truly the view that your balcony affords you. A Vista Suite features a wraparound balcony that provides wide, stunning views when you’re outside, and a uniquely panoramic inside view thanks to a wall of windows that brings more of that outside inside.

Ocean Suite

A Carnival Spirit suite is the ultimate way to cruise. With more space for stretching out indoors, plus a large balcony for kicking back outdoors, try an Ocean Suite to experience private, luxurious relaxation. Ocean Suites also include VIP check-in, walk-in closet and bathroom with whirlpool tub.

Junior Suite

As you step into a Junior Suite aboard Carnival Spirit, you can’t help but feel that you’re stepping into full-size luxury in a smaller package. Featuring a standard-size balcony, in a Carnival Spirit Junior Suite you'll find everything else there is to love about a suite, including VIP check-in, a walk-in closet… and even a whirlpool tub for relaxing.

Premium Balcony

Step into a Premium Balcony stateroom aboard Carnival Spirit and it’s easy to see exactly what you’re getting: one seriously spacious stateroom. It’s about more than just the room itself, you’ll find… step onto your oversized balcony and you’ll find that when there’s a sea breeze in your hair, there’s no limit to the relaxation you can have

Premium Balcony (Obstructed View)

Aft-view Extended Balcony

Extended Balcony

Extended Balcony staterooms feature a larger balcony with more lounge-around room, more kick-back space, and all the Carnival stateroom amenities: a full private bathroom, Carnival Comfort Collection linens and just-a-call-away 24-hour room service.

Balcony staterooms were designed for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, so look to a balcony if you’re looking to cruise aboard Carnival Spirit. Any time you’re in your room, you’re just steps away from your own personal outdoor oasis, featuring the sort of sea view you can also feel.

Balcony (Obstructed View)

An Obstructed View Balcony stateroom on Carnival Spirit provides all the indoor amenities of a Carnival stateroom, as well as some of the outdoor ones as well, including your own personal outdoor space that’s great for stretching out and relaxing.

Oceanview Stateroom

A picture window gives you views of scenery you won’t find anywhere on land, all from the comfort of yourstateroom.Dedicated stateroom attendant, Soft, cozy linens, Plenty of closet and drawer space, In-room safe for valuables, Television, Stateroom climate control

Interior with Window (obstructed views)

Enjoy the light streaming in through your floor-to-ceiling windows in this room with extra lounging space, featuring a sitting area with a sofa. (Note: view will be obstructed.)

Interior Stateroom

This is an affordable way to cruise without leaving out the comfort or convenience! Great for curling up after a long day of fun. Dedicated stateroom attendant, Soft, cozy linens, Plenty of closet and drawer space, In-room safe for valuables, Television, Stateroom climate control.

View Deck Plan

Empire Restaurant

Decks: Promenade Atlantic

Empire Restaurant.

Fountain Cafe

Deck: Promenade

Fountain Cafe.

La Playa Grille Lido Restaurtant

La Playa Grille Lido Restaurtant.

Nouveau Restaurant

Decks: Sun Sports

Nouveau Restaurant.

Deck: Riviera

Bonsai Sushi

Bonsai Sushi.

Seafood Corner

Seafood Corner.

Taste of the Nations

Taste of the Nations.

Blue Iguana Cantina

Blue Iguana Cantina.

Guy's Burger Joint

Guy's Burger Joint.

Guest Services

Guest Services.

The Warehouse

Deck: Atlantic

The Warehouse.

The Punchliner Versailles

Deco Foyer Lounge

Deco Foyer Lounge.

Sun Forward Pool

Sun Forward Pool.

Napoleon Room Rest Annex

Napoleon Room Rest Annex.

Pharaoh's Palace

Decks: Promenade Atlantic Main

Pharaoh's Palace.

Louis XIV Casino

Louis XIV Casino.

Monarch's Card Room

Monarch's Card Room.

Dancin' Dance Club

Decks: Riviera Promenade

Dancin' Dance Club.

Take a swim or just relax poolside at the Carnival Spirit Dome Lido Pool -- Whatever floats your boat.

The Jungle Interior Promenade

The Jungle Interior Promenade.

The Fun Shops

The Fun Shops.

One of the coolest spots on Carnival Spirit is Circle "C" and it's just for kids 12-14...Video games, dance parties, late night movies, Karaoke and more. What could be funner?

Shanghai Piano Bar

Shanghai Piano Bar.

Spirit Lobby

Spirit Lobby.

Deco Walk Upper Promenade

Deco Walk Upper Promenade.

Spirit Atrium

Decks: Promenade Atlantic Main Upper Empress Verandah Panorama Lido

Spirit Atrium.

Alchemy Bar

Alchemy Bar.

Carnival Adventures

Carnival Adventures.

Internet Cafe

Internet Cafe.

Skybox Sports Bar

Skybox Sports Bar.

Redfrog Pub

Redfrog Pub.

Art Gallery

Art Gallery.

Cherry on Top

Chery on Top.

Pixels Gallery

Pixels Gallery.

Deck: Upper

Decks: Promenade Lido

Blue Iguana Tequila Bar

Blue Iguana Tequila Bar.

Red Frog Rum Bar

Red Frog Rum Bar.

Spa Carnival

Spa Carnival.

Beauty Salon Classique

Beauty Salon Classique.

Fitness Center

Decks: Lido Sun

Fitness Center.

Steam & Sauna

Steam & Sauna.

Carnival Seaside Theater

Sliding Sky Dome

Sliding Sky Dome.

Camp Ocean.

Carnival Waterworks

Deck: Sports

Carnival Waterworks.

Sports Court

Sports Court.

Jogging Track

Jogging Track.

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Carnival Spirit Overview

Carnival Spirit is ready to carry guests on unforgettable itineraries. Featuring Carnival Cruise Line favorites such as RedFrog Pub and BlueIguana Cantina, your taste buds will thank you for choosing this beautiful ship for your cruise vacation. Head down to WaterWorks, where iconic waterslides like Green Thunder help you plunge head first into the fun! And as always with Carnival, Carnival Spirit is a great ship for the whole family, featuring family-friendly activities and three dedicated youth-only areas! For more information on Carnival Cruise Line and Carnival Spirit , call The Cruise Web today at 1-800-377-9383 and speak with one of our expert consultants!

• Passenger Capacity: 2,124 (double occupancy)
• Year Built: 2001
• Last Refurbished: 2018

• Serenity Adults-only Retreat While the kids enjoy one of three youth-only areas, the adults can grab a drink and sit by the pool, knowing the kids are having the best vacation.  

• WaterWorks Slide your way down the twists and turns of the Green Thunder waterslide on Carnival Spirit. If you prefer floating and sipping over sliding and slipping, kick back by the domed swimming pool.  

• SportSquare Fierce or friendly, enjoy some high seas competition at SportSquare. Compete with your shipmates in sports like soccer, basketball or volleyball.  

• Lip Sync Battle: Carnival Hit the stage and lip sync your heart out for a chance at being crowned the Lip Sync Battle champion! From the audition round to the final production, you'll find out if you have what it takes to be a rock star.  

• Guy's Burger Joint Flavortown is a destination you can only get to on a Carnival ship! Enjoy a freshly prepared burger, crispy fries or a grilled hot dog at this classic burger joint!  

Carnival Spirit Cruise Destinations

Spanning 6 continents and countless countries ranging from Croatia to the Bahamas, Carnival Cruise Lines' list of destinations below is nothing short of inspiring. There's somewhere for the culinary enthusiast, the history buff, the beachside lounger and the rugged explorer. Destinations include, but are not limited to: the Bahamas, Northern Europe, Canada and New England, the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera, just to name a few. You can follow the links to learn more about each particular destination.

Tundra expeditions and glacier visions—find your adventure with an Alaska cruise.

Bring the whole family for a sunny Bahamas cruise full of smiles, sandy beaches, and maybe a snorkel or two.

Cruise to the Caribbean for tropical weather and splendid beach-side excursions.

Fine wine, intricate arts and music, and cultural enrichment worth a thousand vacations: that’s what you’ll find on a cruise to Europe.

Volcano crater golf, dolphin encounters, helicopter tours and so much more—cruise to Hawaii.

Panama Canal

Mankind’s finest accomplishment sits among intriguing culture and natural splendor—cruise to the Panama Canal.

Carnival Spirit Departure Ports

Carnival has ships home ported in cities across the U.S. making sure you’re never more than a car ride away from embarking on an unforgettable vacation. You can find Carnival ships in Charleston, New York, Long Beach and New Orleans. Ready to sail, call The Cruise Web to start your trip today!

Discover imaginative architecture, impressive Spanish dishes and beautiful excursions into nature when you cruise to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia.

In Miami, you’ll enjoy a small taste of the tropical weather many of you will experience during your cruise, and you’ll see why Miami is one of the most popular places to live in America.

Known as The Emerald City, Seattle is a beautiful, luscious city with incredible views of the Cascade Mountains and Elliott Bay. The city is full of activities for both water lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Mobile, Alabama

Located on the Gulf Coast of the United States and known as the 12th largest port in the country, the cruise port of Mobile Alabama is definitely one for history buffs.

Carnival Spirit Deck Plans

Riviera deck, promenade deck, atlantic deck, empress deck, verandah deck, panorama deck, sports deck, carnival spirit staterooms.

Balcony (BL)

Any oceanview stateroom with private balcony, or better, depending on availability.

Balcony (8G)

Ocean View stateroom with private balcony and twin beds that convert to king.

Balcony (8H)

Balcony (8i).

Balcony (7A)

Partially obstructed Ocean View staterooms with french doors.

Balcony (9A)

Premium Ocean View stateroom with large private balcony.(some staterooms may have Obstructed views)

Balcony (8M)

Private extended balcony. Two twin beds (convertible to king-size bed). Sofa and coffee table. TV; telephone; 110 AC current; individual climate control; wall safe; 3 closets; full bathroom with shower; hair dryer; mini bar. Balcony: Patio chairs and table. Twin beds do not convert to king when two uppers in use.

Balcony (8N)

Balcony (8J)

Two twin beds (convert to king). Chair and coffee table. Full bathroom with shower. 3 closets. Private extended balcony with patio chairs and table.

Balcony (8K)

Balcony (9b).

Two twin beds (convert to king). Sofa and coffee table. Full bathroom with shower. 2 closets. Private large-size balcony with patio chairs and table.

Balcony (8A)

Two twin beds (convert to king). Sofa and coffee table. Full bathroom with shower. 3 closets. Private balcony with patio chairs and table.

Balcony (8B)

Balcony (8c), balcony (8d), balcony (8e), balcony (8f).

Inside (IS)

Any inside stateroom, or better, dependng on availability.

Inside (4F)

Inside stateroom with twin beds that convert to king.

Inside (1A)

Twin bed and one upper pullman. Chair and coffee table. Full bathroom with shower. 3 closets.

Inside (4A)

Two twin beds (convert to king). Chair and coffee table. Full bathroom with shower. 3 closets.

Inside (4B)

Inside (4c), inside (4d), inside (4e).

Inside (4K)

Two twin beds (convert to king). Chair and coffee table. Full bathroom with shower. 3 closets. Picture window with obstructed views.

Oceanview (OV)

Any ocean view stateroom, or better, depending on availability.

Oceanview (5A)

Obstructed Ocean View staterooms with french doors.

Oceanview (6A)

Two twin beds (convert to king). Sofa and coffee table. Full bathroom with shower. 3 closets. Picture window.

Any suite with a large private balcony depending on availability.

Large private balcony, twin beds convert to king.

Two twin beds (convert to king). Sofa, armchair and coffee table. Full bathroom with shower/whirlpool tub/double sinks. 1 large closet. Walk-in dressing area with vanity table and chair. Private wrap-around balcony with patio chairs and table.

Two twin beds (convert to king). Sofa, armchair and coffee table. Full bathroom with shower/whirlpool tub/double sinks. 2 large closets. Walk-in dressing area with vanity table and chair. Private large-size balcony with patio chairs and table.

Two twin beds (convert to king). Sofa, armchair and coffee table. Full bathroom with shower/whirlpool tub/double sinks. 2 large closets. Walk-in dressing area with vanity table and chair. Private standard-size balcony with patio chairs and table.

Two twin beds (convert to king). Sofa, armchairs and coffee table. Full bathroom with shower/whirlpool tub/bidet/ double sinks. 2 large closets. Walk-in dressing area with vanity table and chair. Private large-size balcony with patio chairs and table.

Photo Gallery for Carnival Spirit Cruise Ship

Imagine the fun that’s waiting for you on a Carnival Cruise. The drinks, the games, the sights and the sun! Take a look at this photo gallery to help you envision your perfect vacation.

WaterWorks aboard Carnival Spirit

Serenity Retreat aboard Carnival Spirit

Promenade aboard Carnival Spirit

Circle C aboard Carnival Spirit

Empire Restaurant aboard Carnival Spirit

Grand Suite aboard Carnival Spirit

Oceanview aboard Carnival Spirit

Carnival Spirit Exterior

Carnival Spirit Aerial Photo

Top 10 Carnival Spirit Cruises

• Carnival Spirit 7-day Alaska Cruise Departing From Seattle, Washington (May 2024 - Sep 2025)
• Carnival Spirit Carnival Journeys - 15-day Hawaii Cruise Departing From Seattle, Washington (Sep 2024 - Sep 2025)
• Carnival Spirit Carnival Journeys - 16-day Panama Canal Departing From Seattle, Washington (Oct 2024 - Oct 2025)
• Carnival Spirit 8-day Exotic Western Caribbean Cruise Departing From Mobile, Alabama (Oct 2024 - Dec 2024)
• Carnival Spirit 6-day Western Caribbean Cruise Departing From Mobile, Alabama (Nov 2024 - Jan 2025)
• Carnival Spirit 8-day Bahamas Cruise Departing From Mobile, Alabama (Nov 2024 - Mar 2026)
• Carnival Spirit Carnival Journeys -ex Southern Caribbean Departing From Mobile, Alabama (Jan 2025)
• Carnival Spirit Carnival Journeys - 14 Day Transatlantic Departing From Barcelona, Spain (Mar 2025)
• Carnival Spirit Carnival Journeys - Panama Canal Departing From Miami, Florida (Mar 2025)
• Carnival Spirit 8 Day Alaska Cruise Departing From Seattle, Washington (May 2025)

Learn More About Carnival Cruise Line

Accessibility

Learn about Carnival Cruise Lines' handicap accessible cruises and accommodations for guests with special needs or disabilities - including special staterooms, accessible elevators, dietary accommodations and more.

Savor dining aboard Carnival cruises, including Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, Cucina del Capitano, Bonsai Sushi, the Asian Kitchen, Main Dining Room, Steakhouse, Pizzeria, Coffee Bar, Seadogs, Shake Spot and more.

Entertainment

Enjoy Carnival's onboard entertainment, including stage shows, Thrill Theater, game shows, comedy clubs, live music, DJs, seaside theater, karaoke and more.

Onboard Activities

Take advantage of Carnival's onboard activities, including WaterWorks water slides, pools, sports courts, ropes course, mini-golf, video arcade, sports bars, casino, duty-free shopping, bars and lounges, art gallery and more.

Service & Awards

Learn how Carnival takes care of your every need with an extensive list of onboard services by attentive, cheerful staff. Plus, view Carnival Cruise Lines' awards.

Spa & Fitness

Relax at Carnival's Serenity Adult Retreat, Cloud 9 Spa, fitness center, jogging track, beauty salon, yoga or pilates courses. Carnivals treatments include massages, body wraps, facials, thermal suites and more.

Special Events

From weddings to parties, celebrate your special events at sea with Carnival Cruise Line.

View Carnival's cruise ship staterooms, including suites, balconies, oceanviews and interior staterooms. Plus, Cloud 9 Balconies bring health and wellness to your room.

Youth Programs

Learn about cruising with children aboard Carnival. There's Camp Carnival for ages 2 - 11, Circle C for young teens and Club O2 for ages 15 - 17. Plus, Camp Carnival Night Owls will watch kids until 3 am.

Cruise Type

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Carnival Spirit

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line |

Find a Cruise on Carnival Spirit

with a cruise advisor

Traveler Reviews

A ship’s traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com , which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. A total of 952 guests have reviewed Carnival Spirit , giving it a rating of 3.9 on a scale of 1-5.

Cruiseline Travel Rating:

Reviews by traveler type, most recent reviews.

Great Bahamas Cruise

Apr 8th, 2024

This was a great cruise and we will book again with Debra from cruises . com .

Traveler Type

4-6 cruises

Lovely spring cruise

Apr 5th, 2024

I would like to do this cruise again. I would like to attend other activities and excursions.

Had a Fantastic time!

Apr 2nd, 2024

The FOOD on LIDO Deck is excellent. Avoid the Salad Bar-nothing is refrigerated. All served at room temp. The Deli Bar, Guys Hamburgers, and Breakfast Buffet, are all winners. Srya at the Deli Bar is great at preparing your morning omelet and there are 15 selections for hot and cold sandwiches available all day -every day!

awesome fun time

had a great cruise on the Spirit great ship great staff and awesome food all day

Family (young children)

2-3 cruises

The carnival Spirit was by far our favorite ship in the carnival fleet. We took the spirit the first time back in 2001 when she was a new ship and we are taking her again in 2025 to renew our acquaintance.

Mar 28th, 2024

We had the extremely lucky experience of having bright sunny days every day of our cruise with no rain even in Skagway, which both 330 days of liquid sunshine. Cruising the few were a great experience we saw lots of whales and wildlife.

Wonderful 1st Cruise!

Mar 27th, 2024

This was our first cruise, we learned a lot. I would recommend if you do any excursions to do them in the smaller ports. We were unhappy that we only had like 30 minutes in Nassau and would have loved to explore more of that island. The ship was beautiful and the staff were friendly, we could not have asked for a better crew team!

1 cruise (first)

was the cruise partner I will use again

One thing I was not to mention was how I loved booking through . The price was great and they provided additional benefits for our spending on board. Best of all, they were great to chat with when I had a question. They always came thru for me.

Mar 22nd, 2024

We had a great time in spite of the weather. We loved the ship all decked out for the holidays! But the weather is too cold for us to sail in the Bahamas. We would sail the Spirit in warmer weather.

Love this Ship

Mar 17th, 2024

Once again, Carnival did not disappoint. We were able to relax and feel pampered. The staff as always is hands down the most fun. I don't know how Carnival does it but they find the best staff.

Mar 6th, 2024

It was a very nice ship and a good cruise. The food was good. The show were very good also. Would definitely go on the Spirit agajn

Singles/Friends

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Carnival Spirit Ship Review: An Oldie But A Goodie!

While the Carnival Spirit isn’t Carnival Cruises’ newest ship, with a few refurbishments (the last one in 2018), it provides a fantastic cruise experience for families and those on a budget.

A Spirit-class vessel, the Carnival Spirit provides guests with twelve decks of venues, which are easy to access in their well-laid-out design.

Initially, this vessel provided sailings in North America. Then, it repositioned to Australia and offered South Pacific itineraries from Brisbane. With cruising uncertainty in Australia, Carnival offers Alaska and Mexican Riviera sailings in summer and Caribbean itineraries in winter.

I sailed on the Carnival Spirit during one of her repositioning crossings. While I didn’t complete the entire journey to Australia, I cruised the first leg, a 12-day cruise  from Vancouver to Hawaii . 

So, this is my Carnival Spirit review of the vessel, including stateroom, entertainment venues, and dining options.

The Carnival Spirit Deck Plan

With a capacity of almost 2,124 guests, Carnival has packed a lot into its mid-sized ship. I liked the ship’s design and found it easy to navigate from one area to another.

Unlike the  Carnival Glory ship , which has its galley in its middle, the Spirit’s deck flow is much better.

Some areas I especially liked included hidden places not always found by guests. The Jungle Interior Promenade on either side of the theatre was a great place to read a book or enjoy some quiet time.

I found a great hot tub rarely used (or located) by other cruise passengers in the spa.

The jogging track on deck 11 didn’t run by the loungers by the pool, which is sometimes problematic.

The Spirit’s Promenade deck has a partial outdoor circuit. However, it has a large outdoor walking path that connects to an indoor area called the “Jungle interior promenade.”

Like most Carnival vessels, the Spirit dons a colorful décor. While the wild décor didn’t bother me, those tacky birds featured by the pools just didn’t fit the overall design.

She looks almost brand new with her recent refurbishment and new exterior hull color to match that of the Mardi Gras. Let’s hope on the next upgrade, they refresh the outdated staterooms. 

The Carnival Spirit has a great deck plan, making it easy to find venues.

My 4K Interior Cabin Review

Launched in 2001, the vessel doesn’t have the overly large suites or lavish staterooms found on newer ships. In fact, its largest cabin, the Grand Suite, is relatively small at 300 sq. feet.

While newer vessels have mostly cabins with verandas, the majority of Carnival Spirit cabins fall in the interior and ocean view categories.

Even though the rooms are dated, I enjoyed the larger space with plenty of storage. Carnival Spirit’s interior, outside, and balcony cabins measure 185 sq. feet, which is quite sizable by today’s standards.

With plenty of connecting staterooms, families can choose two rooms next to each other and enjoy the luxury of double the space.

Unique to the Spirit-class ships, Carnival Cruise Line describes its 4K cabin as an interior with a window offering an obstructed view. I booked one of these cabins. In reality, it’s a Juliette balcony where you can’t step outside.

I appreciated the larger space as I’ve seen the 140 sq. foot inside cabins on competitor lines. While they call them interior staterooms, I call the 140 sq. foot spaces shoeboxes!

The 4K rooms on deck 4, or the main deck, have a set of French doors that you can open. Since the lifeboats are positioned outside the rooms, you don’t have any views, but you can enjoy the fresh air, daylight and hear the ocean waves.

If you dislike air-conditioning as I do, you’ll appreciate the ability to turn off the AC and enjoy ocean breezes.

While guests can find a few of these 4K cabins next to the lifeboats, some offer ocean views. Staterooms 4122, 4123, 4140, 4141, 4148, 4149, 4196, 4197, and 4203 fall between the lifeboats.

These cabins sell out fast, but I lucked out on booking 4149 after someone canceled their booking. While I prefer to book a balcony simply for the fresh air, I could enjoy the fresh air without paying for a balcony cabin.

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Cabin 4149 has staterooms above and an open Promenade area below. I found the cabin very quiet during the cruise.

My 4K inside cabin had a full-sized couch so I could watch TV from the sofa or the bed.

The bathroom was also outdated, and the shower had the curtain that we all love to hate.

Outdoor Spaces

The Carnival Spirit has three pools on deck 9 or the Lido deck. The Sun Forward Pool and the Dome Main Pool are located back-to-back in the center of the deck, with a couple of hot tubs.

With a sliding dome to cover one of the pools, it’s an ideal vessel for cold-weather destinations like Alaska. The Blue Iguana Tequila bar and Red Frog Rum bar sit between them and are always busy with guests.

Plenty of loungers are around the pools, and I never had to worry about finding an empty one. At the aft, the Serenity Pool is reserved for adults only.

The large Serenity area has its own bar and always hops with live entertainment. In fact, it was my favorite place to hang out on the ship, especially on sea days. The comfy loungers are a great place to read a book or relax.

Carnival Waterworks on deck 11 provides entertainment for hours for the little ones. Next to the Waterworks, two waterslides offer fun for children and adults alike. The yellow slide provides a calmer ride for the young ones.

However, the  “Green Thunder”  swirling slide whips guests out over the ocean at 65 km an hour. It’s the fastest slide at sea and promises to get your heart racing. I loved the sign underneath the slide that says, “Scare yourself silly.”

When I first saw the slide on embarkation day, I couldn’t wait to try it. And let me tell you, I was with the minority. The thought of the floor dropping away and having the person freefall down the slide at high-speed scared passengers away.

With cool days and a bit of wind, I had to wait until day four of my cruise for the Green Thunder to open. With only two other guests willing to try, I had multiple runs on the Green Thunder.

You’ll find the jogging track, mini-golf, and sports court, two decks up from the pools.

Dining And Food Choices

Guests aboard Carnival Spirit cruises have many options for meals. The Empire Restaurant, the main sit-down venue, offers complimentary food choices.

The La Playa Grille and the Ol’ Fashioned Bbq on the higher decks offer buffet-style selections if you prefer something more casual.

Like many other lines, the dress code is quite relaxed. Even on optional formal nights, expect fewer guests to dress their best.

The Lido restaurant is a casual buffet-style dining venue that serves a wide array of dishes throughout the day. It offers a variety of cuisines, including international fare, comfort food, salads, soups, and desserts.

Also, it featured a pizza station and tastes of the nation. The featured food changed each day, offering cuisine from different countries.

The Blue Iguana Cantina offers a taste of Mexican cuisine with a selection of tacos and burritos. Passengers can choose from a range of fillings, salsas, and toppings to create their own flavor combinations. The venue also serves freshly made tortillas and chips.

As with most Carnival ships that have undergone an upgrade, this vessel features Guy’s Burger Joint on the Lido deck. Created in partnership with Food Network’s Guy Fieri, Guy’s Burger Joint serves delicious, juicy burgers and hand-cut fries.

Guests can customize their burgers with a variety of toppings and sauces. While I don’t tend to eat burgers, Guy’s burgers are fresh and full of flavor. As someone with celiac, I was surprised I could order one gluten-free.

Other complimentary venues include the Red Frog Pub, and pastries and sweet goods at the Fountain Café. Pizza and ice cream lovers can get pizza and soft-serve almost any time they want without a surcharge.

I ate most of my meals in the main dining room because it’s the safest place when  cruising with multiple food allergies.   My waiter was excellent and made daily recommendations.

He often brought things to the table that no one had ordered in an attempt to get everyone to experiment with flavors. I tried the frog legs, alligator, and escargot during that cruise. 

While these items were pre-pandemic, it’s unlikely you’ll find such unusual food options now.

You can choose from Bonsai Sushi Express, Nouveau Restaurant, and The Chef’s Table for those who prefer specialty dining. Although the Chef’s Table comes with sticker shock, the meal is gratifying. 

Located on deck 11, the Nouveau Steak House charges USD 38 for an   appetizer, salad, entrée, and dessert. I ate here one evening, and the steaks were done to perfection, and the meal was well worth the surcharge.

With windows all facing the ocean, you can enjoy your steak dinner with sea views.

Bar Options

The Carnival Spirit features an array of bars, whether you’re looking for an indoor or outdoor venue. Outside, there are plenty of places to get a drink. Choices include the Blue Iguana Tequila Bar and Red Frog Rum Bar on deck 9.

The RedFrog Pub is a Caribbean-themed bar serving up a variety of tropical cocktails and beers, including the popular RedFrog Ale. It’s a vibrant relaxing spot and especially popular in warmer destinations.

Deck 2 has the Red Frog Pub, Skybox Sports Bar, Louis XIV Casino, Alchemy Bar, and Shanghai Piano Bar one level up. The Alchemy Bar is a sophisticated venue where mixologists craft customized cocktails based on guests’ preferences.

For sports enthusiasts, the Sports Bar is the ideal spot to catch live games on large screens while enjoying a cold beer or a refreshing cocktail. It’s a lively atmosphere where guests can cheer for their favorite teams.

The Piano Bar offers a cozy and intimate setting with live piano performances. If you’re a fan of Billy Joel, Elton John, or other talented piano players, you can unwind and sing along while sipping on your favorite beverage.

If you prefer to try your luck at various gaming tables and slot machines, the Casino Bar is conveniently located nearby and will keep your glass filled.

Although less spectacular than newer vessels, the atrium was a great place to hang out.

Should you purchase the USD 59.95 Cheers Beverage Package, you can enjoy drinks up to USD 20 each. These include cocktails, wine by the glass, beer, specialty coffees, and Zero-proof frozen mocktails.

However, you cannot use your package on bottles of wine, gangway beverages, drinks in souvenir cups, or stock your stateroom mini-bar.

Spa And Fitness Center

The spa on the Carnival Spirit offers a tranquil retreat where guests can indulge in a variety of rejuvenating treatments. You can choose from soothing massages to invigorating facials. 

Treatments also include teeth whitening, acupuncture, body wraps, exfoliating scrubs, and detoxifying therapies to enhance your spa experience further.

Like most spas at sea, expect to pay up to double what you pay on land. If you’re not ready to splurge on an expensive treatment, you can unwind in the steam room or sauna, which are complimentary. 

The saunas and steam rooms are especially welcoming after a day of glacier viewing in Alaska.

Additionally, a well-equipped fitness center is available for those seeking to maintain their exercise routine while onboard.

Carnival Spirit Entertainment

While Carnival markets its line as having “fun ships,” the Spirit was way more fun than some other vessels. There was no end to dancing on the dining room tables and getting the guests to follow along in their silliness. 

In fact, I still remember most of the dining room getting up and dancing to YMCA and doing the Macarena.

The fun continues outside the dining room with the Lip Sync Battle, Love and Marriage show, and the popular Hasbro Game Show.

On the pool deck, the fun continued with the men’s hairy chest contest and another contest that challenged guests to build a vessel to float across the pool while carrying cans of beer.

On my warm weather sailing, I often enjoyed the sounds of a live band on the top deck and live music in the atrium.

The entertainment never ends on a Carnival cruise, and being on the Spirit was no different. From the sail-away party to the deck party in Hawaii, I enjoyed it all. 

During my 12-day cruise, there were three formal or elegant cruise nights. You can expect two on a seven-night sailing.

On the last night, guests could dress up or wear Hawaiian attire. After all, we were in Hawaii. Almost all passengers chose to follow the Aloha dress code, and it was nice to see the colorful clothing.

The ship may feature other themed nights such as Silent White Hot Night, Superhero Music Party, or 80s Rock’n’Glow in other destinations. 

I attended most Playlist Production shows in the Pharaoh’s Palace Lounge, and they did not disappoint. Afterward, I enjoyed the late-night comedy at the Punchliner Comedy Club below the theater. The comedian was so impressive that the venue filled up fast. 

Around the ship, there were live bands, piano playing, strums from a guitar, and singers. The choice of music varied, so there was something for everyone’s tastes.

Other Venues

The Dancin’ Dance Club keeps the party-goers dancing on decks 1 and 2. Check out the Cherry on the Top candy store on deck 3 if you have a sweet tooth.

Deck 12, or the aft sun deck, features mini golf, which was rarely ever busy. Being an older ship, the Glory doesn’t have any of the characteristics of the more popular mega-ships. 

However, you get what you pay for, and those vessels command higher prices.

Like all Carnival vessels, the Spirit has self-serve laundry rooms. While none of us likes to do laundry on vacation, they come in handy on long journeys. 

Also, I can pack less and not worry about having overweight luggage at the airport with the ability to do laundry.

Kids Programs 

Carnival is a family-friendly cruise line and provides kids programs for different age groups. Camp Carnival offers simple games, art supplies, and scavenger hunts for children aged two to eleven.

For young teens (aged 12 to 14), Circle “C” offers more hands-on sports, video games, pizza parties, movie nights, and more group interaction.

Club 02 is more of a hang-out space for older teens aged 15 to 17. Here, they can chat, listen to music, or choose to play video games.

There are Dr. Seuss-themed events during the cruise, including the iconic breakfasts. Green eggs and ham, anyone? Children can take a Build-a-Bear workshop to make a special animal of their choice.

Around the ship, kids can enjoy a pool, waterslide, basketball court, and miniature golf.

Exceptional Staff

The biggest plus on this cruise was the Carnival staff. While all cruise line staff are trained to be courteous and helpful, I felt many gave exceptional service. 

As a Celiac, I have to watch what I eat. However, my servers were always helpful and ensured my food never contained any allergens.

There were also a couple of photographers who were terrific at portrait pictures. While most cruise passengers shy away from photographers, I like to get at least one photo from each cruise. 

One photographer did such an excellent job capturing my “best side,” and I ended up going home with eight large prints.

Pros And Cons Of The Carnival Spirit

Here are the hits and misses for me:

• Budget-friendly and a great option if you’re looking for a cruise ship without the bells and whistles.
• Larger staterooms, which can easily accommodate more than two.
• Complimentary steam rooms and saunas, which have been removed on newer vessels.
• 4K cabins make an excellent alternative to a balcony stateroom.
• Inexpensive to eat at the Nouveau Steakhouse.
• Domed pool, ideal for cold weather areas.
• You don’t have to pay to use the serenity retreat.
• Water slides and Waterworks are great for families.
• Shower curtain instead of a glass shower door.
• Onboard venues and cabins need to be updated.
• Few options for specialty restaurants.
• No wraparound Promenade deck for those who like to walk.

Final Thoughts

The Spirit is popular for budget-conscious travelers seeking a memorable cruise experience. 

With larger accommodations, families will benefit from more storage when cruising with more than two to a stateroom.

Being an older vessel, she doesn’t offer the new venues of the latest vessels; however, if you’re focused on your destination, this ship provides exceptional value for money. 

The cruise line understands the importance of providing budget-friendly options without compromising quality or entertainment.

On board, guests can enjoy various complimentary activities, including live performances, poolside fun, and delicious dining options. There is no pressure to upsell specialty dining, racing cars, and other fee-for-use, like on competitor lines.

I enjoyed the Carnival Spirit cruise ship so much that I later took a Mexican Riviera cruise on her sister’s ship, the Carnival Miracle . So, if you’re seeking a budget-friendly cruise with tons of fun, this “fun ship” delivers.

If you reside in North America, you can enjoy the Spirit before she repositions back to Australia again.

Happy travels ~ Karen

Wednesday 13th of July 2022

I went on the carnival spirit in 2019 was so excited to get an upgrade right underneath the night club thumping away until the early hours very dissapointing

Forever Karen

If you're sensitive to noise, it's best to opt out of upgrades. A cruise line's idea of an upgrade is a higher deck but not necessarily in a good location.

Privacy Overview

Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Spirit

Carnival's spirit is a mid-sized cruise ship that largely delivers good value for money..

Updated October 2, 2014

Our experience on Carnival Spirit was fun, which is exactly the buzzword Carnival Cruise Lines aims for. From the ship’s in-your-face décor to the quality shows put on by a dedicated crew at the Pharaoh’s Palace, a cruise on the Spirit is entertaining. Coming out of its January 2012 overhaul, the ship has several new features that proved popular with the guests we sailed with, including the Serenity adults-only pool terrace and the two water slides, which lured plenty of adults as well as kids.

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

Cabin Overview

Our cabin: balcony, other cabins, cabin amenities, dining overview, empire restaurant, la playa grill, nouveau steakhouse, in-room dining, drinks overview, beer and wine, mixed drinks, drink packages, non-alcoholic drinks, fountain café, the champion's bar, spirit lobby bar, artists’ lobby lounge, dancin' dance club, shanghai piano bar, deco lounge, serenity bar, versailles lounge, pharaoh’s palace, spa and gym, pools, decks & sun areas, public spaces, other venues, louis xiv casino and bar, kids programs, staff & ship policies, health & safety.

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The dining experience on Carnival Spirit was not as diverse as we might like, but on a cruise of seven days or less one can make do. The Nouveau Steakhouse was a surprisingly fine meal, with attentive service in a memorable space (once we got used to all that pink!), and the food was on par with some of our best steakhouse experiences at home. We recommend booking this restaurant for a night early in your cruise—you may well want to dine here a second time before your cruise is over. Overall, the main dining room, Empire Restaurant, was fairly average, with occasional good dishes plus an Indian selection nightly that adventurous palates may enjoy. The ship’s busy buffet had a limited selection, some of it quite sub-par, though there were tasty items poking through here and there.

The ship’s raucous décor—a tour of architectural styles—is sometimes a bit of a hodgepodge, it actually grew on us over the course of our journey. It’s not something we’d ever try at home, but we got a kick out of the theme park-style whimsy. If our cabin was bland it was also functional and reasonably sized, with a fair amount of closet space and a slightly larger-than-average balcony. Lighting could have been better, especially for bedside reading, and a more extensive room service menu would have been nice.

The design of the spa was tight and the atmosphere uninviting, but the expanded fitness room was appreciated. Ship signage, particularly for those of us using the stairs, could be improved (landing areas were dimly lit)—the ship’s layout was slightly confusing.

The amount of merchandizing and sales pitches Carnival generates seems endless: While not uncommon with the line’s competitors, the flyers for jewelry and watches deposited in our room daily and the product sales at the end of seminars proved wearying after a few days. And although Carnival tightened its smoking restrictions in 2011, there were still several locations where cigarette smoke was inescapable. In particular, parents should be aware that on Deck 2, when walking from mid-ship forward, there is no way to bypass the smoke-filled casino.

On the flip side, Carnival Spirit seemed staffed by a crew that appeared genuinely happy to be aboard, and welcomed guests easily and warmly. The shows in the Pharaoh’s Palace—an eye-popping venue—were well produced with talented performers. Although we would hesitate before booking a longer cruise, our experience aboard Carnival Spirit proved to be a generally positive one and, for the price, a good value.

Editor’s Note: In October 2012 Carnival Spirit moved Down Under and now calls the South Pacific her year-round home. During the relocation Carnival made some adjustments to the ship and some policies. According to Australia-based newsletter Cruise Weekly, Carnival Spirit’s billing system will now be in Australian currency, electrical outlets in cabins have been converted for Aussie plugs, and the food and drink menus have become localized (‘roo steaks, we’re guessing). Passengers are also no longer allowed to bring a bottle of wine into their cabin during embarkation, as is Carnival’s policy on other ships.

While the ship’s interior design was quite vivid, cabin décor is muted by comparison.

There are four types of cabin on Carnival Spirit. The standard size is 185 square feet and 20 percent of the cabins are Interior—that is, no view. The rest are classified as Ocean View, Balcony or Suite, with various categories within each type, mostly based on location on the ship. Other differences that affect pricing are that some Ocean View rooms are classified “obstructed view” (blocked by the lifeboats on Deck 4) and balconies come in different sizes.

When it came to our accommodations, our luck went both ways—a cabin with a big balcony as well as a connecting door to the adjacent cabin.

While the décor of Carnival Spirit in common areas was pumped at full volume, personality was toned way down for our cabin, to the point of being lackluster. A couple generic framed prints adorned the space, along with a dated glass lighting fixture, but otherwise neutral was the mood.

But there were good features that made our room comfortable. We found ample storage space for two in both closets and drawers and, probably owing to a recent renovation, towels that were full and plush; the carpeting also appeared to be new. Best of all was our extended balcony with two deck chairs and a small table; though certainly not large, at 60 square feet the balcony was large enough for two seated and one or two more standing. The balcony area was a bit dirty—the deck could have used a good scrubbing.

This cabin was one of many on the ship with a connecting door to the adjoining room. Alas, the occupants were older teens who played cartoons on TV in the morning and head-banger music in the evening. Within a couple days we ascertained that neither were actually played very loud, it was just that the door didn’t effectively close out the sound. By the fourth day of the cruise, when one occupant started hacking away with a cold, we vowed to avoid cabins with connecting doors in the future. By contrast, although our Deck 5 cabin was immediately above the Pharaoh’s Palace theater and we could hear a bit of the goings-on there, that sound leakage was never enough to be annoying.

A luggage mat was laid on the bed when we checked in. The mattress was firm but comfortable, though the seam—where the two single beds were joined to form a queen—was noticeable. There was an extra blanket under the couch, and there was storage space for luggage under the bed.

The sofa could be pulled out to create another bed, and there were a couple drawers under the sofa providing extra storage. Passengers from a previous cruise had left water bottles in these drawers that had not been cleared out during the turnaround (one less bill for us at checkout!).

The bathroom was well lit and bright, with a large mirror spanning one wall, flanked by three shelves on each side. The lowest ones on each side were sufficient for a standard travel kit. A makeup mirror was attached to the wall.

The shower (no tub) was level with the floor of the bathroom, with a two-inch lip to keep the water in its place. A fabric shower curtain appeared to be relatively new. There was a retractable line for hanging wet laundry in the shower. Shampoo and shower gel were via fixed dispensers in the shower (no conditioner or body lotion were provided). A dish next to the sink had a promotional sample of toothpaste, nasal strips and an extra bar of soap.

All the towels and bathmats we received were plush and appeared to be new. A sign next to the towel rack asked us to assist Carnival “in our efforts to help protect and improve the fragile eco-systems on which we are so dependent… Towel on the rack means ‘I’ll use it again.’” However, we left our used towel and bathmat on the rack daily and they were replaced most days. Two beach towels were provided (on the sofa) and were replaced when used.

One main lighting system served the entire cabin. It included two recessed lights at the doorway plus an overhead light panel stretching to the balcony door and wrapping around one side of bed; all these lights were controlled by a single switch, though there were three of these switches in the room (one immediately above the headboard). While this lighting proved ample, three bedside lights (two on either side of bed and one at the end of the couch) were too dim for reading in bed. Separately, a light switch at the desk controlled a second lighting feature: two three-bulb fixtures on either side of the mirror over the deck and another behind a decorative glass feature.

There were three closets side-by-side; each was 20-22 inches wide and went floor-to-ceiling in height. One had shelves for storing clothes, the second had a rod with six hangers, the third had a pair of bathrobes, two more hangers and a pair of life vests. A few more hangers would have been useful. There was a 22-inch Samsung flat screen TV on a shelf above the desk. In addition to a few non-ship channels there were two complimentary movies daily—one started every hour. These were recent releases, as was the ship’s selection of pay-per-view offerings (nine total, priced $8.99).

Other features included a stocked minibar (our cabin steward asked if we wanted it unlocked at check-in), a hair dryer in the desk, and a safe under the TV.

There were five self-service laundry rooms available (one on each of main floors w/cabins) and well as laundry service.

We did not stay in the rest of these cabins, but we have summaries here provided by Carnival Cruise Lines. Note that any photos on this page may be provided directly by the cruise line and not our reviewer.

A comfortable stateroom retreat, where some rooms also feature pull-down beds – ideal for families. Stateroom amenities: Television Soft, comfortable, and cozy linens Hairdryer/Bathrobes 24-hour stateroom service Ample closet and drawer space.

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Large windows offer excellent views of the ocean and sneak peeks of each destination. Stateroom amenities: Television Soft, comfortable, and cozy linens Hairdryer/Bathrobes 24-hour stateroom service Ample closet and drawer space.

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A spacious room, that includes VIP check-in during embarkation. Stateroom amenities: Whirlpool bath Vanity dressing table Television Soft, comfortable, and cozy linens Hairdryer/Bathrobes 24-hour stateroom service Ample closet and drawer space.

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Most of our needs were adequately covered.

Rooms have a stocked mini-bar, makeup mirror, hair dryer, safe, bathrobes, pool towels and our ice bucket was refilled at least once daily. The only obvious bathroom amenities we found lacking were hair conditioner and hand lotion, but there was an unexpected trial-size tube of toothpaste. We would have liked a better quality shampoo, but appreciated that Carnival uses ecologically sensitive wall dispensers.

Though not long on dining options—a consideration for a cruise of more than a week—Carnival Spirit had several very satisfying choices, if you knew where to look. There are three primary dining venues aboard Carnival Spirit. This was sufficient for a five-day cruise, but we suspected it might get old during a longer journey. In addition to the main dining room and a buffet, there is a sushi bar with a very small selection of rolls, and a café serving coffee drinks and desserts for a surcharge. There was also the ship’s specialty restaurant; it was here that we were very pleasantly surprised.

When we first boarded Carnival Spirit we noticed the strong smell of a steakhouse. Whether this is by design or accident, our stomachs ordered us straight to the reservation desk to book a table. The Nouveau Steakhouse is the ship’s one restaurant carrying a surcharge, but the $30 cover was worth it, delivering not just our best meals on Carnival Spirit but steak dinners that rivaled the ones we crave at home. And note, we didn’t have to be die-hard carnivores to eat here: The menu has tempting seafood options.

Otherwise we found the main dining room (Empire Restaurant) to be a bit uneven, with some dishes pleasing and others middling. And although the spread changed daily, the buffet had a somewhat limited selection and most of it was unimpressive.

A “Chef’s Table” experience is offered on most cruises, in a private dining room. The cost is $75 per person, limited to 12 people, but the requests didn’t hit the minimum for operation on our cruise, so the dinner was not held. You can read about our experience at a similar dinner, aboard Carnival Freedom, here.

Note: In June 2012, Carnival increased the surcharge on all its steakhouses, to $35 per person.

Food at the main dining room on Carnival Spirit was generally fair to good.

Taking its design cues from Napoleon’s France, the Empire Restaurant is set on decks 2 and 3 aft and serves as Carnival Spirit’s main dining room. A sculpture of the emperor on his throne welcomed us to the gilded room, replete with murals on the ceiling, ornate lamps and chandeliers. It’s ostentatious, but amusing.

Though quite large, the room is a bit tight for the number of guests, servers and fixed tables; on the plus side, there is a good quantity of two-top tables, meaning couples can have private dinners during their cruise (a few tables hug oversized porthole windows—nice seats from which to watch to world go by). Although most courses emerged slowly at dinner, service was unfailingly upbeat, and each evening one of the waiters would perform a recent pop hit to enthusiastic cheers from the room. Breakfasts and lunches were much less busy.

We weren’t expecting our meals at the main dining room to stand out in any memorable way. But considering the Empire Restaurant churns out upwards of 1,000 dinners at a sitting, we found reasonable consistency and several tasty options—plus one good surprise.

The breakfast menu was reasonably extensive and the food was better than at the buffet. Various egg dishes, fruits, pancakes, pastries and meats were available. Lunch was also a good experience here. We enjoyed the fish and chips—the batter not too heavy—and the “create your own” burger, which came with garnishings as varied as chili con carne, bacon and guacamole.

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The buffet on Carnival Spirit was mostly disappointing.

Crowded with people but spare in offerings, we found the buffet at La Playa Grill a chore. The space is bright and cheerful—when not in use, anyway, which is almost never. It feels like a bit of a beach cabana scene, with mosaics crafted from broken pieces of tile and tables lit by Italian glass fixtures; a large chandelier of Murano fixtures lords over the main buffet area.

At prime breakfast and lunch hours, there was a mass of humanity filling the buffet lines and scouring for tables. The tables weren’t cleared as swiftly as they should have been (we usually found one by heading outside with our tray).

The buffet was comprised of about 10 different counters, most of which alternated their offerings depending on the meal being served. The food selection was trimmed further at dinner, though there was late-night dining available each evening, with a different cuisine theme each night.

On the last full day of the cruise a section of La Playa Grille was converted to a chocolate buffet following lunch. There were chocolate fountains with fruit on sticks, marshmallows and other items poised for dipping, and a fairly impressive spread of chocolate cakes, tortes and other desserts. The start and end time for this event went unannounced and there were still passengers trying to get in line after it had closed.

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A steakhouse aroma wafts mid-ship, and when we traced the scent to its source we came away most contented.

Occupying the catbird seat at the top of the atrium, the Nouveau Steakhouse is a two-story restaurant with a glass dome roof. A circular staircase accesses the steakhouse from Deck 9, and with see-through steps—allowing guests to peer between their feet down eight floors—vertigo sufferers won’t dare climb to the restaurant. But don’t let this put you off (and elevators access Deck 10 anyway). This is far-and-away the best dining experience on Carnival Spirit, an oversized, two-story room frilled with Art Nouveau décor and furnishings, set off by handsome Versace chargers on the tables, and with quality meats delivered by proficient Eastern European waiters.

The steakhouse is located within the forward section of the ship’s trademark red Carnival funnel. In a novel design concept, much of the T-shaped funnel has been converted to a red glass roof for the restaurant, which casts a raspberry shade over the room until well after sundown (even the walls inside are salmon colored). Fortunately, we like our steaks with a bit of pink. The glow subsided after dark, and we found our first dinner here so good we came back for second evening to make sure we hadn’t been wearing rose-colored glasses.

Although our food and service at Nouveau Steakhouse was right on the mark, we did have a few minor complaints. One was that the ship’s vibration is more pronounced in this space than other locations. Live music feeds up from the lobby bar through the atrium—it wasn’t always a meal enhancement. Finally, although Carnival’s dress code is pretty casual, we were surprised to see one guy dining at the steakhouse in a white T-shirt.

The Nouveau Steakhouse is open for dinner only, 5:30-9:30 p.m.

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Don’t plan on making a meal out of this venue.

There were three items available at this cart located on Deck 2 near the casino. Sushi fans shouldn’t get too excited—one of each was doled out on the small plates. Nonetheless, a line forms as soon as the bar opens each evening at 5 p.m. Seating is available in the adjacent lounges.

The short selection from this cart includes chu-maki rolls (salmon and cream cheese), ben nasu (eggplant rolls) and nigiri with tuna. Aside from a couple sauces and cured cucumbers, that’s it. None compared favorably with sushi we enjoy at home, and note that we saw these items show up at La Playa Grill on at least one evening, making a trip to the Sushi Bar a somewhat needless exercise.

The Sushi Bar was open each evening from 5 till 8:15 p.m., however it was not opened the first or second day of our cruise.

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The menu was short, but sufficient for continental breakfast, sandwiches and snacks.

A tag in our room could be hung outside our cabin before 5 a.m. to order continental breakfast. We neglected to do that the first night of our cruise, so we called room service the next morning at 8:30 a.m. We spent 11 minutes on hold—first getting a recording, then endless ringing—and finally gave up and went to the main dining room for breakfast. The following morning at 7 a.m. we waited even longer before hanging up. That night we left the tag out requesting breakfast to be delivered between 6:30 and 6:45 a.m.; the knock on the door came right at 6:45.

For lunch another day, we saw no other option but the phone for ordering from the 24-hour menu. This time we got through right away on the phone and were told to allow half an hour for delivery; our order arrived 17 minutes later. Curiously, a couple items were double ordered.

Plates were covered with plastic lids, but plastic cups of juice and open pitchers of milk for coffee and salad dressing arrived uncovered. A packet of salt and pepper would have been nice.

The breakfast menu was strictly continental, the only hot items available were toast—white or wheat—and coffee or tea. Not even oatmeal! But the selection was okay. The 24-hour room service menu offered cold and hot sandwiches served on white, wheat or rye bread, mixed green or Caesar salad, and a short selection of desserts.

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The ship had an array of alcoholic drinks on offer, but some were priced a bit higher than we expected.

Carnival Spirit had ten dedicated bars spread throughout the ship, and bar service could be ordered at the pool areas and inside the two theaters. Several of these bars seemed fairly underutilized during our cruise, but others came alive specifically when events were scheduled.

A 15-percent service charge was added to all drink orders. The minimum age for drinking was 21.

There was a fair wine list available on Carnival Spirit at the main dining room and steakhouse. The list was heavily focused on California wineries, with a small selection from Italy, France and a few southern hemisphere options; the majority were priced under $40. By-the-glass options included La Crema chardonnay, Oyster Bay sauvignon blanc, Peter Lehmann shiraz and Barefoot sauvignon blanc, at prices ranging $6.50-$10.75.

For beer, the major American brands were available in 16-ounce bottles ($5.75). Imports and specialty beers included Blue Moon, Boddingtons, Corona, Pilsner Urquell and Bass Ale at prices ranging $4.95-$5.95. Also available was Carnival’s own line of beer, ThirstyFrog Red, available on draught at several of the ship’s bars, including the Lobby Bar and the Serenity Bar.

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The main bar list covers all the standards, with a few exotic options. A number of drinks could be served in souvenir mugs—in silver disco balls, plastic fish, etc.

Classic cocktails include Long Island ice tea, mojito, mai tais and Sex on the Beach—all were priced $8.75. Martinis were $8.95 and in addition to traditional we found cosmopolitans and appletinis on the menu. Cordials and liqueurs such as Sambuca, Cointreau and Baileys Irish Cream and straight shots of Skyy vodka, Bacardi rum, Bombay Sapphire gin and other liquors ranged $4.95-$7.50. Premium liquors such as Johnnie Walker Black, Ketel One vodka and Patron silver tequila were priced $7.50-$9.95.

Among the drink specials on Carnival Spirit was a Pineapple P, a pina colada blended with fresh pineapple and served in a whole hollowed-out pineapple with a straw ($12.95).

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Carnival’s “Cruise the Vineyards” wine package offers five bottles of wine from one of three groups of wine. The cheapest option was five bottles from one block for $114; the two more-expensive packages were $133 and $168. Promotional material onboard said the packages saved “up to 25 percent,” however, in no instance did we find that selecting five bottles of the single most expensive wine in each package amounted to such savings. More realistic was a 15 percent savings when choosing the five most-expensive bottles within each block.

Bottomless Bubbles, an unlimited soda package, was also available. On our cruise the price worked out to $6 per day, $4.50 for children (age unspecified). The package cannot be applied towards room service deliveries, or to drinks from the cabin minibar.

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Soft drinks included Coke products (including Sprite, Pibb Xtra and orange soda); these were all $1.95, as was iced tea. Powerade was $2.95 and Red Bull was $4.75. Bottled waters included assorted vitamin waters, Perrier and San Pellegrino.

Smoothies included strawberry piña colada, raspberry peach combo and a banana split. Some of the alcoholic drinks could be made virgin, including daiquiris, the Mocha Chocolate Getaway and Hurricane Wave. All of these were $4.75 each.

Non-alcoholic Buckler beer was $3.95.

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The coffee at La Playa Grille wasn’t anything to write home about, so we came here for a caffeine fix.

The ship’s coffee shop is on Deck 2, facing a two-story water feature that functioned only on the last day of our cruise. The cappuccino, moccacino and latte were priced $2.95-$3.50 and all could be made with skim or soy milk and flavored with assorted syrups or liqueurs. Iced coffees and milk shakes were also available for $3.50-$3.95. Our latte was okay, much better than the coffee served in the ship’s buffet line.

The pastry case was stocked with decadent looking confections such as Black Forest Cake, Strawberry Cheesecake, fresh fruit chocolate cups; individual servings were $2.25 (and whole cakes with inscriptions were available to order). Chocolate dipped strawberries and various cookies were $1.25.

The café was open 7 a.m. till midnight on sea days, with a midday break on port days. Note that another café stand, minus the pastries, was available at La Playa Grille.

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Aspiring singers gathered here.

With walls trimmed in dark purple fabrics, Club Cool evokes a 1950s nightclub, with a small bandstand and parquet dance floor at its center. By day, this spot was usually empty, except for the odd diamond sales pitch or art auction. At night, this was the place for live dance music or karaoke parties.

Club Cool is one of the ship’s two indoor bars designated for smoking.

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Get your game on.

This odd gathering spot is the ship’s de facto sports bar, with bank of TVs playing the several sports channels available onboard. Ugly, slightly larger than life-size cut-outs of sports legends line one wall. We imagine the Champions’ Bar would be a pretty busy venue if a major game was being televised (and the feed was accessible at sea), but otherwise it was mostly empty during our cruise.

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This popular space was topped by the ship’s 10-story atrium.

Situated at the base of Carnival Spirit’s soaring atrium on Deck 2, the Lobby Bar is the hub of the ship. It basks in a pink glow cast from the red glass roof at the top, a color that continues to imbue the room after dark, owing to the salmon colored walls and copper accents that dominate the ship’s design.

Open the longest of any of the ship’s bars, the Lobby Bar stays busy through much of the day and evening, but it’s not hard to find an empty barstool for the crescent shaped marble counter. Pull up a chair at one of the smaller tables flanking the elevator shafts, or there’s seating available at sofas lining big windows.

Live music is scheduled here at various points daily, along with the captain’s welcome event.

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A nice spot for a drink before tucking in at the adjacent Empire Restaurant.

Lots of Parisian style fills this elegant space, with banquettes adorned by lush reproductions of works by Gauguin and others. A small bandstand is home to live jazz on a few evenings, while trivia games and some of the ship’s promotional seminars (teeth-whitening and the like) were also held here.

The ship’s standard bar list was available at the Artists’ Lobby Lounge. A martini flight was also on offer: Choose from mangotini, Jack julep, cosmopolitan and others; four 2-ounce pours were $17, which seemed a bit steep to us.

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We got our groove on here.

This is Carnival Spirit’s disco, a two-story space situated in the lowest area of the ship. The décor appears to loosely embrace New York street art style, with streaks of bright colors splashed about the walls and a circular glass staircase that descends to the dance floor.

The club generally started pumping at 10 p.m. The music we heard was pretty standard disco hits of a couple decades ago, though there was a Country line dance class scheduled one afternoon, and a kids’ talent class on another.

Dancin’ Dance Club is one of the ship’s two indoor bars designated for smoking.

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The ship’s piano man tinkled the ivories in a beautiful setting.

This is one of Carnival Spirit’s more successfully designed rooms, a lush trip back to old Shanghai, replete with Chinoiserie and lots of red and black. A bar surrounds the piano, which sits on a pedestal near the entrance. A small cast of regulars showed up each evening to call out favorites they could sing-along to, but otherwise the venue was never busy. The piano man started up most evenings at 8:30 p.m.

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Naturally, an Art Deco style was exhibited here.

Like the Artists’ Lobby immediately below, this foyer was a convenient place to stop for a drink prior to dinner. The Conference Room/Art Gallery was next door, and events here sometimes spilled into the Deco Lounge.

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On sunny sea days, this bar was bustling.

A double-sided bar located between Carnival Spirit’s two main pools on the Lido Deck, the Canopy Bar stayed busy throughout the day. This is also the de facto bar for La Playa Grille.

Smoking is permitted on the starboard (right) side of the Lido Deck’s outdoor areas.

The ship’s standard bar list was available at the Canopy Bar, along with splashy (and pricey) specials, like the piña colada blended with fresh pineapple and served in a hollowed-out pineapple with a straw—for $12.95.

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The mood was chill.

Formerly known as the Fantail Bar, this outdoor lounge adjoining the peaceful Serenity Retreat is a kids-free zone that keeps the adults using the pools and loungers lubricated. It’s also a good fallback option when dining at La Playa Grille.

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This peculiar hideaway is overlooked by some, but it’s worth locating early in the cruise.

Squished into the shallow space beneath the Pharaoh’s Palace on Deck 1, this theater is a fine intimate venue for standup comedians. The walls are lined with models of French chateaus, illuminated from behind; this does a nice job of opening up the room (the stage is not much more than seven feet tall!). Couches with cocktail tables provide ample slouching room for several hundred.

Although there’s no real bar, the ship’s standard cocktail list was available from waiters serving at the Versailles Lounge.

The Versailles Lounge is used for karaoke, art auctions and future cruise seminars (the advice we heard here was informative, as far as Carnival cruises go), but comedians are the rule. The acts were family-oriented for the early shows, with blue words and raunchy bits being flung after 9 p.m. Either side of that hour the comedians we saw were pretty entertaining, and everyone in the front rows was fair game.

Versailles Lounge is reached by descending the narrow, spiral staircases found on either side of Pharaoh’s Palace; it is also accessible from the forward elevators.

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The theater itself was a spectacle and the shows were vivid and entertaining.

Recalling the extravagant theme décor of old movie palaces, the main theater on Carnival Spirit wowed us with its splashy take on Egyptiana. The 1100-seat venue sparkles with hieroglyphics and is lined with sarcophagi—plaster, of course, but gleaming with gold.

The lower, main level (Deck 2) has lounge-style couches with small cocktail tables; rows in the rear have somewhat limited sightlines (blocked by the bottom of the balcony). Upper levels have comfy high-back chairs offering ample legroom; arrive early for these—a number of the upper-level seats have views obstructed by various pillars and supports.

Although there’s no real bar, the ship’s standard cocktail list was available from waiters serving at the Pharaoh’s Palace.

The entertainment here was above average, performed by a solid crew of singers, dancers and musicians. One show, Singin’ With the Big Band, featured a 10-piece band with several sizzling performances. Big Easy, an even more lavish entertainment, was a tribute to the music of New Orleans. Carnival obviously invests a lot in their live shows and, while not Broadway-quality, they certainly aspire to it.

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Carnival’s over-the-top design team missed the mark here. With tacky murals of Greek athletes lining the walls and an auburn color scheme, the entire facility appeared retro in the worst way. Treatment rooms were cramped and dingy-looking and the salon felt like it was designed for Caesar’s Palace, circa Elvis’ last days.

The facility is managed for Carnival by Steiner Leisure, which oversees spas for a number of cruise lines. We signed up for the Fire and Ice manicure. While we found the 50-minute, $50 treatment competently handled and the arm massage with hot rocks relaxing, the “cooling gel” that was applied didn’t do enough to warrant the name. Overall, treatments seemed pricey to us: 50-minute facials ran $119-$169 and 50-minute massages were $119-$159, or $269 for the couple’s massage. As is typical on most ships, spa treatments (though not those at the salon) were discounted by 10 percent on port days. There were discounts for multiple treatments, and additional offers popped up on sea days.

Other procedures available included teeth whitening, acupuncture, Ionithermie, waxing and men’s grooming. The men’s and women’s changing areas have private sauna and steam rooms, which are open to those not signing up for a treatment.

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In contrast to the spa, the small gym—located past all the treatment rooms—was relatively appealing, perhaps owing to a renovation of the ship in January 2012. There was plenty of current LifeCycle cardio equipment—bikes, treadmills and elliptical—and we never saw a line for the machines, all of which faced the forward ocean view. One small problem we noticed was that the room was not adequately cooled, so it got a bit humid while working out.

Fitness classes included yoga, pilates and spinning, priced $12 each ($30 for three sessions). The two-session fitness Boot Camp was $69. A body composition analysis was $35, and a 60-minute session with a personal trainer was $85.

The one element of the ancient Greece (or was that Rome?) theme that was carried from the spa into the gym is a successful one: There is an elevated, indoor whirlpool in the middle of all the muscle-pumping, and this was a pretty nice place to soak after a workout.

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This was the hub of the action when the sun was out. The ship’s two main pools and two whirlpools were located at mid-ship, with the Canopy Bar wedged between them. Odd green flamingo sculptures took flight over the pools.

The Lido stage was used several times each day for outdoor performances and games. These usually started around lunchtime and included live calypso music, a beanbag toss, a golf chipping contest and a hairy chest competition. After dinner, a DJ spun dance tunes some evenings.

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Serenity Adult Retreat

During the January 2012 renovation of Carnival Spirit, this sun perch was transformed into an adult-only (age 21 and up) area of this ship—the results are great. One of the ship’s three pools is found here, along with a whirlpool that took in the aft view. Sun loungers and semi-private day beds filled up the rest of the deck, and some sunning space was covered with wooden pergolas that screened out some of the sun (the desk is otherwise fully exposed). Waiters from the adjacent full-service bar were available to ply us with drinks, and La Playa Grille was close by, when we needed a snack.

The mood is generally pretty quiet back here, but we had a couple minor quibbles. One, when the kids (and adults) were using the slides at the waterpark, their screams were audible. We also found the whirlpool was often packed with bodies, like sardines, and the day beds (which were big enough for two) were usually grabbed early in the day and it was hard to snag one thereafter.

Otherwise, we found the kids- and teens-free Serenity Retreat to be a fine addition to Carnival Spirit.

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Carnival Waterworks

Refurbished and expanded in January 2012, this is a great play area for kids, with a splash pool and small slides for the little tykes. The kiddie area is anchored by the Power Drencher, a giant bucket that continuously filled with water until tipping over. Twister was a slide that corkscrewed around—parents should know in advance the minimum height restriction was 42 inches. Green Thunder was an even taller slide, towering over all but the ship’s main funnel and plunging into a winding turn that circled out beyond the ship’s starboard side. Carnival calls this the “steepest water slide at sea”—we have no reason to doubt this. In fact, quite a few of us adults enjoyed these two slides.

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Exterior Promenade (Deck 3)

This wide walkway almost encircles all of Deck 3, but for running or walking laps you’ll want to head to Deck 10. This is a nice place for taking in the breeze and/or sun, but there were no deck chairs on the Promenade, meaning it was used primarily only by smokers (smoking permitted on the Starboard side).

This is where the Muster Drill was conducted on the first day of the cruise.

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Deck 10 offers Carnival Spirit’s walking and jogging track—3½ laps equals a mile, though jogging was allowed only before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Although the forward part of the deck was a great perch from which to admire the view, there were no deck chairs or loungers here. But plenty of loungers were found on the port and starboard sections of the deck, and this was a good place to grab one when options on the Serenity Retreat or Lido Deck ran out.

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Sports Deck

This small area on deck 11 forward had a 9-hole miniature golf course, ping-pong tables, and a basketball court.

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This small split-level deck wrapped around the red and blue trademark Carnival funnel. It wasn’t used as much but was perhaps the quietest of the outdoor areas for sunning, and loungers stood at the ready for us.

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We never figured out what real purpose this pair of corridors served, but it exhibited the kind of kooky design Carnival is famed for. Painted with jungle themes—animals, bamboo and forest vegetation—the hallways are on Deck 3 forward and line the outside of the Pharaoh’s Palace. There are sofas, chairs and tables and nice portholes for taking in sea views, but not once did we see anyone using them.

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Weaving art nouveau and art deco elements at the base of a 12-story atrium, the lobby is the nucleus of the ship. You’ll find the guest services and shore excursion counters here, and at the base of the elevator shaft some cocktail events took place at various points of our cruise.

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Monarch's Card Room

The ship’s daily program designated meeting times for Bridge- and Euchre-players to meet, but otherwise the room was little used. There was a small selection of board games here, including Battleship, Clue, Parcheesi, Yahtzee, Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit.

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Chippendale Library and Internet Café

This small venue was one of Carnival Spirit’s more attractive public rooms. There were 10 PCs available for use, and a helpful crewmember was usually on duty here to provide web surfing assistance.

The reading library selection was meager at best.

The basic internet usage plan was .75 per minute, plus a one-time $3.95 activation fee; this covered computers in the Internet Café as well as WiFi around the ship. There were various packages available that brought the per-minute price down to .64 per minute (45 minutes for $29), .49 per minute (120 minutes for $59), etc. Those who purchased one of the plans on the first two days of the cruise received up to 20 minutes additional time, free of charge.

We found the tips sheet provided offers good details on how to improve WiFi access, especially for iPad users.

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The Wedding Chapel

This pretty little wood-paneled facility with al frescos of angels has pews to seat about 50 guests. It’s a nondenominational chapel and we were told that weddings at sea are conducted frequently by the ship’s captain.

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The casino on Carnival Spirit continues the French flair found in several other venues, but we found the endless clanging of the slot machines took away any true Monte Carlo elegance. A statue of Louis XIV next to the bar kept a watchful eye on gamblers. The facility was busy pretty much any time we weren’t in port (when the casino was closed).

Slot machines covered the gamut of traditional games, and video poker was also available. Table games include roulette, craps, blackjack and various types of poker.

Gambling is allowed for guests 18 and older. The casino has its own bar, offering the ship’s standard drink list. Anyone purchasing a drink gets a $5 match play coupon.

Smoking is permitted in the casino, but only while playing. Nonetheless, this was the smokiest area of the ship. We were told that one section of the casino was reserved for non-smokers, but we found no evidence that the smoke itself had been informed of that policy.

A pair of pool tables sat in one corner of the casino. Cues and balls were available at the bar, rented for $8 for 30 minutes, $14 for an hour.

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Camp Carnival

Carnival has a three-tiered kids program, with the entry level—Camp Carnival—designed for the youngest group. There are actually two side-by-side venues, called the Fun House on some ship signage: one for 6- to 8-year-olds, the other for 9- to 11-year-olds.

An orientation was held for all ages following the muster drill. The age 6-8 group participated in magic shows, teddy bear crafting (additional fee required), talent shows and games. The age 9-11 group colored T-shirts, put on a stage show, made pizzas and learned towel folding.

Babysitting was available until 3 a.m. for $6.75 per hour, per child, plus 15 percent gratuity.

The kids program designed for tweens and a little older, Circle “C” had a designated venue for activities, which included an ice cream social, magic show, Wii tournaments, board games and a hip hop dance class with the older teens. There was also a designated shore excursion for the kids alone (additional fee required).

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Techno Arcade

Open 24 hours, the ship’s arcade ate kids’ quarters by the bucketful.

Carnival’s kids program for older teens age 15-17, Club O2 is a strictly no-adults, no-children retreat. Activities included theme dance parties, water fights, karaoke shows and mock casino play. There was also a designated shore excursion for teens only (additional fee required).

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Fashion Boulevard

Also referred to as the Fun Shops, this alley winds along Deck 3 and is flanked by two shops selling jewelry, liquor and cigarettes, and Carnival logo merchandize. Also on the Boulevard was the Formalities shop, renting tuxes and selling wine, champagne and candy.

The perfume and cologne selection was modest. There was a selection of clothing for women—mostly resort wear—but almost nothing for men. Watches, jewelry and other goodies were carried, though not much that made us jump up and down with excitement. There was also a selection of liquor and cigarettes at duty-free prices. Sundries available included sun block, pain and cold medications, etc.—not a comprehensive selection, but enough to tide us over between ports.

The shops were closed when Carnival Spirit was in port.

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The Studio Photo Gallery

Carnival Spirit had a dedicated crew of photographers shooting posed photos on the ship. Prints ranged $11.99-$21.99. There was also a formal portrait photographer on board whose work we found pretty strong.

The Photo Gallery also sold cameras (primarily Olympus), underwater cameras, media cards, frames and photo albums.

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Conference Room/Art Gallery

A couple of seminars were held here during the early part of our cruise (Detox for Health and Weight Loss, Improve Posture with Good Feet), and then this room was converted into the ship’s art gallery. An art auction was held on the last day of the cruise (in the Versailles Lounge).

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Spa Carnival, Salon Classique

Elemis products were the primary brand used for spa and facial treatments and many of the products were available for sale, along with Phyto and ME! Bath.

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With a couple minor exceptions, service was upbeat and warm on Carnival Spirit. The staff seemed to genuinely enjoy their jobs and didn’t break a sweat when keeping us happy. Probably the single biggest hiccup was that, on embarkation day, we waited 85 minutes in various lines to check in and board the ship, a delay caused—we were told—by a computer system that had gone down.

Ship announcements were not piped into our cabin (except for the final morning), but could be heard from the hallway. These were generally made by our cruise director in English four or five times a day, plus there were a couple announcements made by the ship captain towards the beginning of the cruise.

On the final day of the cruise there was no strong-arming to fill out a guest questionnaire to rate our experience on Carnival Spirit, as is common on most other cruise lines. While we assume such a questionnaire was available on request (or that we could make comments to the hotel director), we appreciated that Carnival was confident in its services and product. We also recalled that, when calling Carnival’s toll-free reservation number, one of the first prompts is an option to pass along comments about a recent cruise.

With a couple minor exceptions, service was upbeat and warm on Carnival Spirit. The staff seemed to genuinely enjoy their jobs and didn’t break a sweat when keeping us happy.

Carnival recommends a tip of $11.50 per day, per guest for crewmember services, other than bartenders. The charge was added to our statement during the cruise. For bar service a 15 percent service charge was automatically added onto all beverage tabs, including minibar purchases.

Dress Codes and Alcohol Policy

Dress on Carnival Spirit was casual by day, and still fairly casual at night. On formal night, some suits and cocktail dresses came out but many cruisers kept their duds simple. At La Playa Grille, bare feet and wet swimsuits were not uncommon.

Loyalty Programs

The Past Guest Recognition program is Carnival’s frequent cruiser plan, though it’s not pushed hard as on some other lines. Passengers become gold members—the entry level—with their second Carnival sailing, which includes an invite to a cocktail reception on cruises of five days or longer. With their tenth sailing on Carnival, guests become platinum-level members which includes priority embarkation, debarkation and tender boarding, priority reservations for the steakhouse and spa, casino benefits, complimentary wash and fold laundry, and other extras.

Coming out of a recent renovation we would have expected surfaces to be a bit tidier than they were; we found dusty cabinets in the spa and our balcony had a layer of grime that deserved a good scrubbing. We also felt Carnival’s approach to hand sanitizers was overly-relaxed. Although hand sanitizers were available on boarding Carnival Spirit and at the ship’s restaurants, we do not recall at any point being urged by crew members to use the devices—they appeared to be more like window dressing (and ignored by many if not most of the passengers) than being treated as an important component of today’s cruising experience.

A muster drill was held just prior to embarkation the first day. We were not required to bring life jackets from our cabin to the drill and roll call was not taken.

A medical center was located on Deck A and was staffed by a doctor daily from 3 to 6 p.m.; the doctor was on-call for emergencies at other hours.

Smoking Regulations

Smoking is not permitted in any cabins, but is allowed on their balconies, for those that have them. Inside the ship, smoking is allowed in the casino, at Club Cool (including cigar smoking) and on the upper level of the Dancin’ Dance Club. Outdoors, smoking is allowed on the starboard (right) side of all open decks, including cigars.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Norwegian cancels more than a dozen cruises on 7 ships in 2025

Norwegian Cruise Line canceled more than a dozen cruises on seven ships.

The sailings were scheduled to take place in 2025. The changes “are a result of varied events including the ongoing situation in the Red Sea and Israel, modified dry dock schedules for ship enhancements, a full ship charter, and lastly, to accommodate the demand for shorter close-to-home voyages to the Bahamas,” according to a spokesperson for the line.

The following itineraries were canceled:

• Norwegian Spirit: Jan. 21, 2025
• Norwegian Jade: Feb. 20 through and including March 24, 2025
• Norwegian Sky: April 19 through and including June 5, 2025
• Norwegian Star: May 17 through and including June 9, 2025
• Norwegian Viva: May 18 and 27, and Sep. 20 and 29, 2025
• Norwegian Pearl: Oct. 15, 2025
• Norwegian Epic: Nov. 1 and 11, 2025

“We are committed to providing exceptional vacation experiences, both aboard our ships and by taking our guests to some of the most sought-out destinations around the world,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “While we try to maintain original itineraries as much as possible, at times modifications are made to optimize the itinerary, enhance the guest experience or accommodate certain circumstances.”

Your cruise was canceled: Now what?

Guests whose cruises were impacted were given full refunds of their fare and a 10% discount in the form of a future cruise credit. The credit can be used on any of Norwegian’s published itineraries through Dec. 31, 2025.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

Why a major Miami cruise company has canceled over a dozen international trips for 2025

M iami-based Norwegian Cruise Line has canceled at least 14 cruises on 7 ships in 2025 as a booming industry confronts global conflict and other issues.

The cancellations include trips in May and September on Norwegian Viva, the company’s newest ship, and ones in April through June on Norwegian Sky, which frequently sails from PortMiami.

Norwegian said customers who are affected will get a full refund and a 10% discount on future sailings through Dec. 31, 2025.

In a statement, the company said that the cancellations “are a result of varied events, including the ongoing situation in the Red Sea and Israel, modified dry dock schedules for ship enhancements, a full ship charter, and lastly, to accommodate the demand for shorter close-to-home voyages to the Bahamas.”

Suspended trips include the Norwegian Jade from Feb. 20 through March 24, 2025. That ship often departs from Port Canaveral.

Norwegian remains optimistic about cruising. This week, the company ordered eight new ships, its largest ever single purchase, a milestone celebrated at Seatrade Cruise Global, a four-day annual industry conference at the Miami Beach Convention Center. They will be delivered between 2026 and 2036.

Since the terror group Hamas attacked Israel and the Gaza war started in October, cruise companies have been canceling trips to the Middle East.

Next year’s cruise cancellations affect passengers of the Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Sky, and Norwegian Viva.

A March 28 letter to passengers said: “We have been monitoring the situation in Israel, and despite our best hopes that it would de-escalate, we have made the decision to alter published itineraries that transit through and around the region.”

For Epic, the decision was made “in order to reroute her and accommodate the early start to her Caribbean cruise season.”

The Sky will be rerouted around Africa and deployed to Eastern, Western, and Southern Africa, a letter to those passengers said.

Viva is being sent to the Mediterranean, passengers were told in a letter.

Despite any security risks, major airlines including United and Delta have said they will resume flights to Israel. Next week, El Al resumes non-stop service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Tel Aviv twice a week. The Israeli airline continues to offer five flights a week from Miami International Airport.

Norwegian in its statement said the cruise company remains committed to taking its guests to “some of the most sought-out destinations around the world.” But sometimes, itineraries need to be modified to “accommodate certain circumstances.”

Other reasons for the cruise changes

But security in the Middle East isn’t the only reason for the changes.

The Norwegian Star canceled because of a “full ship charter.” That means a private organization offered to rent out the whole ship for an entire trip.

The Norwegian Spirit underwent a planned renovation in less time than anticipated, and so now wants to use that time for a longer trip. “As the renovation period will be complete prior to schedule, we now have the opportunity to enhance the originally scheduled January 21, 2025 itinerary, and offer a longer and more immersive experience,” it told guests in a letter.

Meanwhile the canceled sailings on the Norwegian Jade from Feb. 20 through March 25 is “part of a fleet redeployment to accommodate strong demand for cruises through the Panama Canal and to the Bahamas,” the company wrote in a letter to passengers.

Cruise cancellations list

Here is a full list of cruises canceled by Norwegian is listed here, provided by the company:

• Norwegian Spirit: Jan. 21, 2025
• Norwegian Jade: Feb. 20 through March 24, 2025
• Norwegian Sky: April 19 through June 5, 2025
• Norwegian Star: May 17 through June 9, 2025
• Norwegian Viva: May 18 and 27, and Sept. 20 and 29, 2025
• Norwegian Pearl: Oct. 15, 2025
• Norwegian Epic: Nov. 1 and Nov. 11, 2025

©2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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AIDA Cruises launches 2024 season from Warnemunde (ship AIDAmar)

On Sunday, April 14th, AIDAmar ship marked the start of 2024’s cruise season in Port Warnemunde serving as the homeport for AIDA Cruises .

Throughout 2024, AIDAmar and AIDAdiva are slated to make a total of 69 calls (April 14 through November 4), representing nearly half of all cruise ship visits to Warnemunde.

AIDAmar is scheduled to visit Warnemunde 40 times during the season, offering guests the opportunity to embark on voyages ranging from 3 to 12 days to destinations in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Poland, and other Baltic and Scandinavian countries.

Meanwhile, AIDAdiva will embark on 7-day journeys from Warnemunde to Norway, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Finland, and Estonia, with additional 4- and 5-day trips to Scandinavia in October. Noteworthy are the 12-day expeditions to the Baltic States, including Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, and Sweden. A highlight of the 2024 season is the simultaneous docking of both ships in Warnemunde on 5 occasions: June 8, July 6, August 24, September 21, and October 31.

AIDA Cruises will actively participate in various events in Warnemunde throughout 2024. During the Hanse Sail event from August 8-11, both AIDAmar (August 9) and AIDAdiva (August 10) will be present, with AIDA serving as a sponsor for the renowned maritime event. The Rostock Cruise Festival in September will witness the simultaneous presence of both AIDA ships on September 21, also supported by AIDA as a sponsor. Additionally, AIDAmar will host a children’s concert on October 17 as part of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival.

For AIDA Cruises, the implementation of shore power technology represents a vital step in reducing local emissions from ships. 9 out of 11 AIDA vessels are currently equipped with shore power capabilities, including all ships departing from German ports for cruises in the North and Baltic Seas this summer. In Warnemunde, shore power facilities are planned for all 69 visits by AIDAdiva and AIDAmar, even during overlapping port calls.

Celebrations for the season opening on April 14th, featured a festive event at the Rostock-Warnemunde cruise terminal, including the participation of the traditional 3-master ship Santa Barbara Anna alongside AIDAmar. Festivities commenced at 11:00 a.m. on the central pier, with the highlight being the departure of AIDAmar in the evening, accompanied by music, as she embarked on her journey to Gotland and Stockholm .