Ship

The Norwegian Spirit is one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s smallest and most distinctive ships. With a gross tonnage of just under 76,000 and fewer than 2,000 guests, it offers a significantly more personalised cruising experience than the fleet’s large resort ships. At the same time, she is a true specialist in extraordinary itineraries: Alaska, Hawaii, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific are among her favourite destinations.

However, her current appearance bears little resemblance to the original Spirit. During a comprehensive refurbishment lasting around 40 days in 2020, all cabins, restaurants and public areas were renovated. Fourteen new areas and additional cabins were created, the Mandara Spa was expanded, and numerous restaurants, bars and lounges were newly established.

Particularly striking is the focus on a more mature audience. The former children’s water park, for example, has been replaced by Spice H2O – an outdoor area reserved exclusively for adults during the day, featuring two hot tubs and a bar. Added to this are the spacious Mandara Spa with its thermal area, the Spinnaker Lounge and numerous quiet retreats. NCL itself explicitly describes the concept developed following the refurbishment as geared towards the ‘adult traveller’.

Culinary-wise, the Spirit offers an astonishing variety despite its modest size. In addition to the main restaurants and the Garden Café, options include Onda by Scarpetta, Cagney’s Steakhouse, Le Bistro and other international dining options. In the evenings, theatre, live music, comedy, the casino and various bars and lounges provide entertainment.

Conclusion: The Norwegian Spirit is particularly appealing to couples, connoisseurs and experienced cruisers who prioritise unique destinations over spectacular leisure attractions. It offers no go-kart track, no giant water slides and no Aqua Slidecoaster – instead, a pleasantly manageable size, plenty of places to retreat to and, following extensive modernisation, a surprisingly contemporary ambience. For guests who like NCL but don’t need the large resort ships, the Spirit is a particularly interesting alternative.

Norwegian Spirit

Cruise line: Norwegian Cruise Line

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