Overall Score

BERLITZ'S RATING
	Possible	Achieved
Ship	500	419
Accommodation	200	154
Food	400	286
Service	400	278
Entertainment	100	61
Cruise	400	297

How this score is created

Norwegian Spirit (ex-SuperStar Leo), was the first brand new ship ordered by parent company Star Cruises specifically for the Southeast Asia market. It was moved to NCL in 2004 in a fleet redeployment. There is a full wrap-around promenade deck outdoors, good for strolling, and lots of outdoor space, including a whole area devoted to children’s outdoor activities and pool.

Inside, there are two indoor boulevards, and a large, stunning, two-deck-high central atrium lobby, with three glass-walled lifts and ample space to peruse the shops and cafes that line its inner sanctum. The lobby itself is modeled after the lobby of the Hyatt Hotel in Hong Kong, with little clutter from the usual run of desks found aboard other cruise ships.

The interior design theme revolves around art, architecture, history and literature. The ship has a mix of both eastern and western design and decor details. Three stairways are each carpeted in a different color, which helps new cruise passengers find their way around easily.

A 450-seat room atop the ship functions as an observation lounge during the day and a nightclub at night, with live music. From it, a spiral stairway takes you down to a navigation bridge viewing area, where you can see the captain and bridge officers at work.

There is a business center (complete with conference center – good for small groups) and writing room, and a smoking room, for those who enjoy cigars and cognac. A shopping concourse is set around the second level of the lobby.

Want the casino? The casino complex is at the forward end of the atrium boulevard on Deck 7 (not between showlounge and restaurant as in most western ships). This includes a large general purpose, brightly lit casino, Maharajah’s, with gaming tables and slot machines.

Families with children should note that teens have their own huge video arcade, while younger children get to play in a wet ’n’ wild aft pool (complete with pirate ship and caves) and two whirlpool tubs. Plus there’s all the fun and facilities of Charlie’s childcare center, which includes a painting room, computer learning center, and small cinema. Even the toilets are at a special low height, and there’s a room full of cots for toddlers. Over 15,000 sq. ft (1,400 sq. meters) is devoted to children’s facilities – all tucked well away from adult recreation areas.

The dress code is extremely casual (no jacket and tie needed). Watch out for the extra costs and charges to mount up if you order more than the basics. With many dining choices (some of which cost extra) to accommodate different tastes and styles, your cruise and dining experience will largely depend on how much you are prepared to spend. Gratuities for staff (non-adjustable from May 2005) are added to your onboard account, and 15 percent is added to all bar, wine and spa accounts. The onboard currency is the U.S. dollar.

Because this is quite a stunning ship and offers a wide choice of dining venues, keeping consistency of product delivery will depend on the quality of the service and supervisory staff. There are many extra-cost items (in addition to the à la carte/extra charge dining spots), and there is constant intrusion into your cruise experience with announcements for things such as art auctions, bingo and horse racing. Note that standing in line for embarkation, disembarkation, shore tenders and for self-serve buffet meals is an inevitable aspect of cruising aboard all large ships

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008