First Time Cruising With Carnival Spirit

The Carnival cruise line is an amazing fleet of luxury cruise trips that caters for all types of cruisers. Families, couples and groups of friends of all ages are made welcome on board their ships and the entertainment is catered for all.

The Carnival fleet currently contains 22 ships that are found world-wide and most popular in the Caribbean. Some of the ship names include the legend, victory, glory, pride, destiny, dream and the paradise.

Carnival finally made its move into Australian waters offering short trips on the east coast of Australia but also to the beautiful South Pacific Islands.

Currently only the Carnival Spirit departs from Sydney Australia and this is the ship I was privileged enough to experience. The Carnival Legend will soon be arriving to Australia shortly as well.

There are 10 levels on the Carnival Spirit which includes a number of restaurants, day spa, a gym, 2 main pools for all ages and an adults only area which includes a pool and Jacuzzi too.

The entire ship is decked out with magnificent artworks, structures and paintings particularly in the Grand Atrium which has a multi-level painting which is around 6 levels high.

What makes this the Carnival Spirit stand out and makes the appeal for both kids and the young at heart is its 50 foot water slide known as the Green Thunder. This is located on deck 10 and counts down from 3. The waterslide is so fast I couldn’t even tell you if the platform dropped or pulled back or what.

The restaurants on board are all paid for within your cruise ticket price all except the steak house restaurant called Noveau. It cost $35 per person to eat here and it is well worth the price as you get 3 courses of the best quality meats. Make sure you walk in hungry these meals are massive.

The main restaurant is also 3 courses and table service and just about all the wait staff are extroverts, fun and a little bit crazy all in the name of fun. After dinner is mostly served there may be a song and/or dance by the wait staff which helps lift the mood for the evening fun times.

There are also plenty of bars found around the ship which includes a karaoke bar, pool bars, the casino, Shanghai bar, the grand atrium and the waiters walking around the decks coming directly to you for orders.

Lastly the entertainment on board is also worth checking out most of which are performed in the Pharaoh’s Palace which is found on deck 2, 3 and 4. Here you will get to see magicians, hypnotists, dancers, big band concerts and more.

Directly below the palace is the Punch-liner Comedy Club where 4 to 5 comics perform most of which includes an adult’s only show.

All in all the Carnival Spirit lived up to its reputation and makes the trip as comfortable and as entertaining as possible. I would definitely book with Carnival again and would highly recommend it for any first time cruisers.