Cruise Ship: Norwegian Spirit
Cruise Destination: Port Canaveral, Bahamas from New York City
Cruise Dates: May 25, 2008
Guest Contributor: Arlene
Great cruise! Balcony room well worth the price. Specify queen bedroom if you are tall rather than putting two twins together. Be advised - in NYC call Norwegian beforehand and ask what terminal they will be in and get the street location - not all are at 55th Street. We got dropped off at 11th and 55th due to traffic and had to walk down to 48th with our baggage! Also, when departing if you don't want to stand outside, head for the Galaxy of the Stars down the hall from the pool for a spectacular view in the observation lounge especially if it's windy or rainy. From there go downstairs and view the captain and crew at work.
Reserve early for Cagney's the first night to use 1/2 price coupon. The Captain's Dinner in Windows is on the second night. Windows and Garden Room both wonderful. Trattoria fills up fast each night when people discover it. LeBistro (cover charge) is excellent too - basic menu remains the same every night unless you choose the deluxe one.
Port Canaveral has great tours! Banana River very nice (saw manatees and dolphins). Space Center terrific. People complained not enough time for Disney and Universal.
In Nassau, take elevator to 4th floor to depart quickly - crowds on stairs. Do the day pass at the Windham Hotel on your own - beautiful and much cheaper than tour price. At departure terminal (ask directions) for Hilton and catch a jitney bus for $1.00 US (10 min. ride) runs regularly up an down Cable Beach, or take a cab (reasonable). Buy the one-day pass at the hotel (beautiful) for about $10 to use full pool and beach facilities (fabulous inside buffet-$30), cheap parasailing ($50) and jet skiing. Also take a cab to Atlantis and get the 1-day pass for the acquarium, tour and/or beach (not pool - hotel guests only). Much cheaper - people who took that tour were upset - tour bus delayed 1 hr. and they sat around waiting. You can call the Windham (toll free) and Atlantis from home with any questions.
The Freeport Combo Tour - (area tour, 1/2 hr. beach stop and straw market)is a waste - too much time on the bus - unexciting area tour and not enough time at Junkanoo Beach and Lucayan Straw Market stops. Catch a cab ($10 each) at ship terminal to the Lucayan Straw Market (Lucayan Beach Resort) - beach entrance from the parking lot is on the side of the casino. Much more time at the beach or straw market. Plenty of cabdrivers hang out there to get you back to the ship in time.
If you're not in any hurry, choose to disembark in NYC at 11:50 or 12:00. Windows closes early but Raffles Buffet remains open till then and you can eat and hang out longer. A wonderful cruise ship - clean, fabulous restaurants, entertainment, and activities!
