Staterooms

There are six basic cabin types on NCL Spirit: insides, portholes, windows, balconies, junior suites and suites. Rooms are brightly decorated, more so than public areas. Bedspreads are fairly garish, ours in pink and yellow stripes (Deck 11). The staterooms are fairly basic with simple furnishings. Inside and outside rooms have a bolster above one of the beds so it can be used for seating. Balcony cabins have an oversized chair and small coffee table. Suites and junior suites have fully furnished seating areas with sofas or settees.

Almost all of the rooms on this ship are interconnecting, making them ideal for friends or family groups. What's really impressive is that double metal doors are used (compared to single composite doors in most interconnecting cabins on other ships), so there is virtually no sound seepage from the adjoining room when the doors are closed.

Caveat: Although they are virtually soundproof from adjacent cabins, the same is not true from above. Cabins on Deck 11 can be particularly noisy, with scraping chairs from the Lido Deck midship and aft, or loud nighttime music from Galaxy of the Stars forward. However, balconies on Deck 11 have a nice advantage: A wide overhang from the Lido Deck offers privacy from above.

Outside cabins have a large picture window, nice because it's a single pane rather than one with that annoying bar down the middle. Balcony staterooms have a full-wall sliding glass door, floor to ceiling, side to side, and an exterior balcony enclosure made of glass. The effect is a spectacular viewing area (and access to fresh air outside). The doors have a hidden child lock on the side opposite the opening, a lever that is relatively high up and not easily reached (or noticed) by little ones. Balconies are quite narrow (40 inches) but adequate and comfortable. Each balcony is furnished with a chair, a short lounger and a little table. The furniture is that ubiquitous white plastic, but the chairs are padded with colorful cushions.

Hint: It looks at first as though the lounger is just a taller, bigger chair that doesn't recline, but it does. The secret is in the arms; lift them and push the back of the chair to the angle that suits you, then secure the arms in the hidden slots.

An interesting note about the cabins on Spirit: This ship was designed and built for the Asian market, and thus for the Asian frame, which is substantially more petite than that of North Americans. Chairs and handrails are a few inches lower, the bathroom sink is lower, the beds are lower and the furniture is slightly smaller. It's not a hugely noticeable difference, but it's there just the same.

Spirit staterooms use sliding doors on their closets, which eliminates the blocked hallway problem found in most cabins. Unfortunately, the closets are very small and have few hangers. There is a corner console unit that holds a small television, an ice bucket and glasses, and a coffee pot with complimentary coffee, cream and sugar packets. You can ask your cabin attendant for as much as you'd like, and for a coffee lover like me, it's heaven. Under the console are some small, shallow drawers.

Hint: Pack light, and practice being very tidy. The storage space is minimal, as is the surface space in these rooms. My deep suitcase didn't fit under the low beds and stuffing it into the closet was problematic.

Balcony staterooms have a teeny, tiny, wall-mounted bedside table on one side, and if the beds are configured as twins, there is a pop-up floor-bolted table that rises between them. Standard outside and inside staterooms have a single, nice, roomy bedside table as well as the floor-mounted one for twins. After my first turndown service, I decided I liked the look of the white duvet much better than the bright circus stripes, so I took off the spread and left it that way. Very elegant and welcoming.

Hint: The beds on Norwegian Spirit are firm. If you prefer a softer sleep, ask your room stewards to help you out. They can put an egg-carton foam pad on your bed for you.

The bathrooms in standard staterooms are unique for cruise ships, similar to the bathrooms found on Norwegian Star and Norwegian Dawn. Divided into three sections, the center area holds a small sink, mirror and a few shelves for makeup, toothbrushes, medication etc. To one side is a partially hidden toilet, which has a sliding frosted glass "pocket door," and to the other side is a shower stall also with a sliding glass door. The shower is fantastic, almost as big as an in-home shower unit, and with a glass enclosure there is no more billowing or clinging curtain allowing water to soak the floor. The European shower head, which can be removed to use as a hand-held, has several settings for flow: soft and gentle, intense and invigorating, pulse for massage. The pressure is excellent and there is plenty of hot water.

The toilet is a bit more problematic. The opening is only 15 inches, which in itself is not too bad, but the toilet sits at a slight angle facing the door. I am short, but I imagine for a tall person the configuration could be a bit claustrophobia-inducing. It is, however, a great innovation, especially for friends who travel together, adding an additional layer of privacy.

There are 18 suites on Norwegian Spirit, five on Deck 9 overlooking the stern wake, five on Deck 10 at the very bow, and eight, also on Deck 10, along each side of the forward portion. Anyone lucky enough to be accommodated in one of these will be treated to luxury beyond compare. Large oval-shaped whirlpool tubs, elegant bedrooms, fully furnished "living rooms," dining tables, refrigerators and teak deck furniture are all included, as are two incredible butlers and a chipper, cheerful concierge to satisfy your every whim. I liked the eight junior suites the best, those on the sides of the ship. The bathroom has a one-way floor-to-ceiling window in front of which is the whirlpool tub. Soaking in bubbles high up on Deck 10 while looking out at the sea below is a pleasure I would love to some day experience.

Caveat: Because this ship was built for the Asian market, all wiring is 220 volts. There is one 110-volt plug in the stateroom, but it has a maximum capacity of 500 watts. Most hair dryers start at about 800 watts, and if used in these staterooms, will blow the circuitry for an entire corridor of cabins. Leave your hair dryer at home and plan on using the wall-mounted one provided. While it isn't ideal, it's better than blowing all electricity in your hallway.

Norwegian Spirit offers a wide array of accommodations to suit every taste. Stay in one of our luxurious Penthouses, impressive Oceanview Staterooms with balcony or comfortable Inside Staterooms, you’ll feel right at home.

All staterooms on Norwegian Spirit have a TV, safe, duvet and bathroom with shower and hair dryer. Most lower beds are convertible to a queen. All suites and penthouses feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors with private balcony.

Owner's Suite Deck: Deck 9 Owner's Suites AA feature a separate bedroom with queen-sized bed, floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a private balcony, living room with dining table, private luxury bathroom with whirlpool tub and separate shower, refrigerator, and a wet bar. Butler and concierge services are available.

Private Balcony Stateroom Deck: Deck 11 Private Balcony Staterooms BA feature a queen-sized bed or two lower beds, floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a private balcony, and a sitting area.

Oceanview Stateroom Deck: Deck 8, Deck 9 Oceanview Staterooms CC feature two lower beds and a picture window.

Interior Stateroom Deck: Deck 11 Interior Staterooms II feature two lower beds.