Carnival Spirit

by Katrina
(Washington, D.C.)

In December 2002 our family flew down from Ronald Regan National Airport in Washington DC (our hometown) to a port in Floria for fourteen days of excitement aboard the Carnival Spirit. Our destination ports were Barbados, St. Martin, and Martinique.

The boarding procedures were very straightforward. We were in our staterooms within two hours of arriving at the port.

Service for the staterooms was excellent with fresh towels, toiletries, and sheets upon request delivered to your room promptly every morning. They'll even fold the towels into animal shapes for the children. You can opt to have the cleaning staff come by your room later in the day if you wish to sleep in by simply telling the staff your preferences. They are happy to return to your room when it's most convenient for you.

When you arrive in your stateroom you'll find a schedule with an overview of your cruse's activities. There's no end to what you can do on any given day on a Carnival Cruise. All of the daily activities listed on the schedule are free of charge and only require you arriving to participate.

Over the course of your cruise you'll also be given something akin to mail delivered to your room from the ship's staff. This gives you a more detailed list of all of the activities planned for the day. There are games with prizes, contests, concerts, stage shows, and even movies planned out for you each day. Most of the amenities on the cruise are included in the price of the ticket.

You can enjoy all you can eat meals starting at approximately seven in the morning and ending around midnight. At later times there's a twenty four hour pizzeria, ice cream, and access to drinks. Sit down dining for breakfast and dinner was also included. Formal dress is required for the dining room in which guests on the ship will be seated so they can select the meal of their choosing. We usually opted to go down for the dinner seating.

There are some things that are not included in the cost of your ticket, however. Carnival provides free water, fruit juice, and milk for their guests. They do charge for alcoholic drinks and soda by the glass. You must also pay to dine in the private restaurant located in a secluded area above the lido deck. Use of the spa, Internet, and casino facilities also costs though the prices are fair.

All of your additional purchases can be made on an electric card the ship's staff gives you at the beginning of your cruise. You will receive a summary for all purchases made during your cruise at the end of your trip. Though we opted to buy a few additional perks to make our trip more enjoyable you do not have to pay a dime after the cost of your ticket to enjoy yourself on a Carnival Cruise.

The ship's staff was incredibly generous with the free activities that they had each day. We participated in a game on the lido deck on one day and watched a comedy show on the next.

Our afternoons were spent watching dolphins play in the waters of St. Martin and enjoying our friend's company. In times where you've had enough excitement you can always find a quiet spot to reflect.

The ship was very spacious for the number of people aboard. There always seemed to be enough seats. Whether you're an adult looking to unwind for a couple of days, a family dreaming of your next summer vacation, or a couple looking for a memorable anniversary experience I fully endorse the Carnival Cruise Lines. It's an experience you won't soon forget.