They say in business that you are only as good as the people you have working for you. It is easy for me to say that our cruise on the Spirit was really excellent because it was. But one mustn't forget why the ship is so good. It is the crew that make the trip what it is. They, but for one or two minor exceptions, are as good as it gets. Your cabin is cleaned twice a day - once during the morning and again whilst you are out enjoying your evening. Whenever you bump into your cabin stewardess they are cheerful, helpful and happy. When it comes time to eat you experience a level of service that would be hard to beat anywhere. The waiters and wine waiters just cannot do enough for you. Not only do they excell themselves as waiters but thet entertain you too. Eating in the Compass Rose is an event in itself. And the quality of the food equals the standards of service. There is something on the menu to suit everybody. The waiters make a point of remembering your name - how they do it I'll never know. Generally speaking bar staff are just as good, but I have to say one or two are letting their colleagues down. But it's a minor point and not a problem. One or two of the reception staff could do with a course on customer service skills. They get the job done but lack the personality required for front of house. The crew (for want of a better description, the sailors) do a fantastic job. The ship is kept in immaculate condition at all times. I'm not the best person to give an opinion on the standard of entertainment because it's not an important part of the programme for me. What I did see appeared to be of a good standard with some fine singers and dancers making up the team. What I can say is that many of the people on board that I spoke to who do enjoy the shows all spoke highly of what they had seen. We were very lucky to have good weather every day of the cruise and on the days at sea there was plenty of room for sunbathing and no shortage of loungers. A minor criticism, which I know others have commented on, is the use of plastic plates and cups in the Lido Restaraunt. I can accept that for those eating and drinking on deck it makes sense for safety reasons but I cannot believe it is necessary for those eating inside the Lido Restaurant where it gives the feeling of dining in the works canteen. I know others have commented on engine vibration. All I can say is that I have been on many ships that are 20 times worse. In fact our cabin was one of the quietest and vibration free cabins I have ever slept in on any ship even though it was on deck 2. Something that I wasn't impressed by was the Shore Excursions operation. I accept that the service they offer is of benefit to many of the passengers who may not venture assure if it were not for the security they feel comes with an organised trip. However, many of the ports could be easily explored without the need for what I consider to be overpriced excursions. The excursion team do anything they can to convince people to the contrary just to sell their tours. They also avoid answering questions where the reply might put people off going on a tour. For example, when asked why we would be travelling in a police escorted convoy with an armed guard on each coach between Port Said and Cairo the excursions manager replied that it is just the way it is done. I thought it had more to do with the massacre of tourists on a bus some time back. Why not give people the truth and let them make there own minds up. In fact the opinion of most people was that no terrorist was going to stop us seeing the pyramids and if your name is on a bullet there is nothing you can do about it.
In actual fact the trip to see the pyramids would be almost impossible to do without an organised tour. But at £65.00 per head do we really need a compulsary shopping trip to a tourist shop as part of the programme. An extra hour at the pyramids or on the Nile would have been far better. Notwithstanding that, I would suggest taking the trip if you are calling at Port Said or Suez.
The excursions that were offered in Italy and Greece were not good value. A 20min. walk from the docks in Athens and you can take the Metro to the Acropolis for 75 EU cents return. A shorter walk takes you to the station when you call at Rome which is about an hour away by train. Just a few Euros buys you a round trip plus Metro day pass to the city centre. From there you can see the city easily by foot and metro with the help of a 5 EU guide book and map. In Naples we took a taxi to Pompei and Sorrento. We had the cab to ourselves all day from 9.00 until 5.00 for 140 Euro and the driver was happy to take 6 people for that money in his 7 seater car. In Messina it was even cheaper at 110 EU for a taxi all day. Once again it was a Merc. that would easily have taken two couples. The cheapest excursions come in at around £29.00 per head for a 4 hour tour. Malta was the same. Valletta is a short walk from the ship. If you want to travel further you cannot fail to find the bus station that offers cheap travel to anywhere on the island with the added bonus of riding in a 1970's coach.
All in all an excellent cruise. I would definitely sail on the Spirit again so long as she was calling at interesting ports.
Lastly, the flights were excellent and on time both ways, and coach transfers were efficient at start and finish of the trip.
If you fancy a cruise give the Spirit a try. I doubt that it compares with P and O or Cunard but neither does the price. It is most unlikely you will be disappointed with this ship.
PS The cheapest cabins are more than adequate. In fact some of the expensive ones on the upper decks have lovely windows, but, you have to keep your curtains shut because people can walk past on deck at any time.
Travel operator:
Thomson
Recommended
