Norwegian Cruise Line

MS Norwegian Spirit

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Operator:Star Cruises
Year Built / Last Refurbished: 1998 / 2004
Length / Tonnage: 871 / 76,800
Number of Cabins / Passengers: 988 / 2,000
Officers / Crew: International / International
Operating Area: Alaska and Caribbean

Norwegian Spirit began her career as Norwegian Star for NCL parent company Star Cruises. She began sailing for NCL in the summer of 2004 and was renamed Norwegian Spirit in the fall of that year.

As Norwegian Star, Norwegian Spirit was the first new build for Star Cruises and originally entered service in the Autumn of 1998.

The Norwegian Star's most prominent feature is a spectacular atrium that spans seven decks. Within the atrium, a grand piano appears to be "floating" above water. She has a wrap-around promenade on deck 7 which completely encircles that deck from bow to stern. Her casino located on the same deck is hugh and split on two levels. She has two two pools, one for adults only, amidship, and the other for kids, in the stern complete with slides and a pirate ship. In additional there are five whirlpools. Her forward observation lounge on deck 12 has floor to ceiling windows and extends over the bridge wings to offer unparalleled views of the sea all around.

She has three main dining areas. Raffles the buffet allows both indoor and outdoor dining on deck 12. Indoors the room has floor to ceiling windows and outdoors, it overlooks the children's pool and play areas. Cuisine would be fusion with western, chinese and indian food side by side. There are four separate lines and dessert islands so there is no overcrowding. Service is fair and fast. The chinese restaurant serves traditional chinese food, service is fair.

The western restaurant is quite elegant with it's ceiling rising to the rear ending with three hugh windows showing the ships wake. Service is good with staff striving to please, the food is normal cruise cuisine with some fusion i.e. western combined with eastern fair. In addition, she has a local styled eatery that serves local delights, a separate chinese restaurant, a japanese restaurant and a french restaurant.

About a third of her cabins have balconies (382) and they are roomy and comfortable enough for the short cruises she offers. They are very quiet.

Because NCL has a very active sports program they attract a lot of younger, active people. Passengers here tend to be younger than those aboard corresponding ships of, say...Princess and Holland America.

The Norwegian Star alternates between Seatle and Vancouver departures sailing on 7-Day round-trip Alaska Sawyer Glacier itineraries. Following the Alaska season she will reposition through the Panama Canal and offer a series of Caribbean cruises.

With the introduction of free-style cruising, the newer ships in the NCL fleet have lost some of the warmth of the past. With the wider variety of options it has become increasingly more difficult for the staff to get to know you - and you to get the know the staff and your fellow passengers. If you haven't cruised before, you will probably have a good, if not great time on board the Norwegian Spirit. If you are a veteran cruiser, you may find NCL's free-style approach lacking in terms of quality and service.