Hi, we plan to go on a cruise (10 or 11 nights) in Nov. and don't know whether to go on the Norwegian Spirit or the Explorer of the Seas. We were on the Norwegian Dawn last year and found the kids area and freestyle great, just the food and cabin service not that perfect. We'll have our kid (3) with us so the kids service is very important for us. No kids in specialty restaurants on RCL... We are travelling from Europe so another point is the long flight home from Miami instead from NY (NCL). Hope you have any experiences with both ships. Thanks
Edit: Moved to NCL Corporation forum. Shortcut created in Royal Caribbean International forum. RF
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Raoul Fiebig,
The Explorer of the Seas departing from Miami is doing alternating 7 day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, visiting Belize, Costa Maya Mex, Cozumel Mex, and Grand Cayman on the Western (4 ports), and San Juan PR, St. Maarten Netherlands Antilles, St. Thomas USVI, and Nassau Bahamas on the Eastern (5 ports).
The Norwegain Spirit departing from New York City is doing 10 and 11 day Eastern Caribbean cruises, visiting St. Thomas USVI, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Dominica and Tortola UKVI on the 11 day cruise (6 ports), and St. Thomas USVI, St. John USVI, Barbados, St. Maarten Netherlands Antilles, and Tortola UKVI on the 10 day cruise (5 ports).
The Explorer of the Seas is the larger ship, at 142,000 GRT, in comparison to the Spirit, at 76,800 GRT. It's approximately twice the size and it will have approximately twice as many passengers.
But if you want a longer cruise, the Spirit accomplishes that well. By November, the first day out and the last day in to NYC, it will be too cool for anyone to be using the swimming pools aboard the Spirit.
The itineraries are sufficently different that makes a ship to ship comparison hard. Which itinerary do you like better?
Hi Ron, The Explorer starts from NY on 3rd Nov. and cruises 10 days. Disembarkation in Miami. So the difference between the routes are 6 days on Sea, 4 ports (Explorer) and 4 days on Sea, 6 ports with the Spirit. Going on the Spirit we could plan some x-mas shopping in NY..
It sounds like you've already answered your question! If you want to do Christmas shopping in NY, then Spirit it is.
I haven't checked the itinerary, but I'm thinking that the two extra ports that Spirit has are Port Canaveral and Miami, right? Well, if you take explorer, you'll get Miami without using up one of your days. And Port Canaveral is nice, but you can drive there too. With Explorer you'll have an extra day or so in warmer weather by skipping the return to NYC.
I've never been on Explorer, only Spirit. I can't compare the two. Spirit (last month) did not thrill me. The food was not that good, the cabins small. I know nothing about Explorer. I'd read reviews for both ships and decide which one seems like the best option if the itineraries aren't enough to help you with your decision.
There are 6 ports with the Spirit in the Caribbean Sea. On two we were last year, USVI and UKVI. Just three ports with the Explorer but one overnight-stay at one port (Curacao). We hope we'll find great beaches. Weren't that impressed with USVI and UKVI.. But I think you're right, Spirit is it.. I really love NY. (Like almoust every European I know )
we plan to go on a cruise (10 or 11 nights) in Nov. and don't know whether to go on the Norwegian Spirit or the Explorer of the Seas. We were on the Norwegian Dawn last year and found the kids area and freestyle great, just the food and cabin service not that perfect. We'll have our kid (3) with us so the kids service is very important for us. No kids in specialty restaurants on RCL... We are travelling from Europe so another point is the long flight home from Miami instead from NY (NCL). Hope you have any experiences with both ships.
It sounds like you've already answered your question! If you want to do Christmas shopping in NY, then Spirit it is.
)
