The Norwegian Spirit has all the hallmarks of a great Norwegian Cruise Line ship: lots of restaurants, extensive kids programs, cool nightclubs and lounges, and a marvelous "Freestyle Cruising" program that allows guests to do whatever - whenever. As its name implies, this ship offers something much more important as well. The crew of the Norwegian Spirit has an upbeat presence and caring attitude that makes cruisers feel right at home. With its appealing combination of spirit and substance, the Norwegian Spirit is one ship that will keep guests coming back for more.

The Ship

Built by Star Cruises in 1998, the Norwegian Spirit began its life as the SuperStar Leo. The ship's design and decor has strong Asian overtones, since it was originally designed for that market. In 2004, the ship was transferred to Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and became the Norwegian Spirit. Much of the Oriental decor was left intact, making the ship an attractive and unique member of the NCL fleet.

The Spirit was newly restored in the fall of 2008, so cruisers will find it looking quite new. Norwegian’s Freestyle 2.0 program has introduced some innovative touches as well, including champagne at embarkation, Evian spritzes on deck, upgraded dining menus, and new NCL-U classes.

Some areas aboard the Norwegian Spirit should not be missed:

* Maharini's Lounge and Nightclub is great for drinks and dancing. The decor is gorgeous and sexy, with plush day beds, velvet curtains, plasma screen televisions, and a dance floor that's jumping all night long.

* The Galaxy of the Stars on Deck 12 is one of the most beautiful observation lounges I've seen. Floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides provide magical views. This is a wonderful place to relax on days at sea and a good spot for cooling your heels on embarkation or debarkation days.

* For the younger set, Buccaneer's Wet and Wild and Charlie's Childcare Center are simply fantastic. Kids love the elaborate waterpark-style pool complex and the world-class kids' club facility is extremely well equipped. The ship’s game arcade is a magnet for teens. The Norwegian Spirit is a wonderful choice for families – see www.ncl.com for complete information on kids’ and teens’ programs.

* Raffle's Terrace, located just above Buccaneer's Wet and Wild, is a good place to enjoy a drink as well as savor the beautiful views off the ship's stern.

* For java fans, The Cafe, located port side in the Grand Centrum, is a nice spot to settle down with your favorite latte and a good book.

* Located just above the Grand Centrum near the shops, Champagne Charlie's features live music in the evenings - head here for drinks before or after dinner.

* The Internet Center and Library on Deck 12 are inviting and well equipped. Plenty of computers are available and wireless access can be found in many public areas.

Dining Options

Norwegian’s “Freestyle” approach to cruising means no assigned meal times. Guests can eat when and where they please and choose from a variety of dining options. The Norwegian Spirit offers 11 restaurants and venues for its guests. Some of these are available at no additional charge, while others require a small per-person surcharge.

Review your dining options before boarding the ship and reserve your preferences early, as popular restaurants book quickly. The restaurant desk is in the Grand Centrum to the right of the purser’s desk. Try to make your reservations immediately after boarding on embarkation day or call from your stateroom to avoid waiting in line.

The first specialty restaurant to fill up is typically Teppanyaki, as there is limited seating available. Chefs entertain guests as they cook and the food is delicious. This restaurant is particularly popular with families and large groups.

Le Bistro and Cagney’s are also top choices. Le Bistro has a French/European menu while Cagney’s is modeled after a traditional American steakhouse. In my opinion, both are well worth the small surcharges. Other notable specialty dining venues include Shogun and La Trattoria, an Italian restaurant.

The Norwegian Spirit’s two main dining rooms are the Garden Room and Windows. Windows is a lovely spot, with dark wood touches and huge Palladian windows overlooking the stern. Personally, I preferred the more intimate Garden Room, which also features expansive window views. The attentive staff was particularly excellent.

Room service is also available 24 hours aboard the Norwegian Spirit and many guests take advantage of this option. This is particularly true at breakfast, when the Raffles Café buffet on the Lido Deck tends to become crowded. Food is available continuously at The Blue Lagoon as well. Another of the ship’s most popular dining events is the Chocoholics’ Buffet – a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds.

Staterooms

Most cabins aboard the NCL Spirit are brightly colored with comfortable furnishings. There seems to be slightly less storage space in these rooms than on other NCL ships, so try to pack lightly. A few things are helpful to remember:

* Rooms are generally available no earlier than 2 p.m. on embarkation day.

* Many of the staterooms on board are interconnecting cabins. This should not be a worry, however, as double metal doors are used to eliminate noise problems.

* Be aware that there’s a small hidden child lever-type lock at the top of the sliding glass doors in balcony cabins. Ask your cabin steward to point it out and demonstrate how it works.

* Spirit staterooms have sliding doors on their closets – a nice touch. When shutting the doors, however, make sure to push them firmly until a click is heard. That will stop them from sliding back and forth during the night while the ship is sailing.

The Bottom Line

This is a wonderful casual ship with an attentive staff that caters to the needs of their guests. Don’t miss it!