Stuck on a boat?

Stuck on a boat?
By admin


 

For anyone accustomed to long-haul flights where you arrive at your final destination feeling tired and crabby, hopping onto a cruise ship and having your holiday start from the minute you board is probably the best thing imaginable. Wait, I’m mistaken. Sitting on a hammock, cocktail in hand as you sail out of Sydney’s world famous waterfront, the Harbour Bridge on one side and Opera house on the other, is even better. 

The Carnival Spirit came to Sydney’s port permanently in October 2012, where it underwent a multi-million dollar makeover, dubbed the “Aussification”. But aside from a newly built coffee shop, food themes (which largely involve pies and snags) and Australian comedians, it is more like a floating Las Vegas. 

Everything about the Spirit is impressive. The glass elevators that transport you to your deck give a 180 degree view of the gold and warm mahogany decor of the atrium, complete with varnished banisters and aristocratic furniture that bring to mind the Titanic. 

If you can push your budget to include a stay in a balcony room, the expense is well worth it. Waking each morning to an expansive view of a clear blue ocean is motivation enough to get out of bed, but even more so with the option to take breakfast on the balcony.  

While I thought the cabin interiors were a little outdated (peach furniture and walls), room 8172 became my secret haven. Entertainment wise, the shows got off to a slow start, however they improved as the days went on, with magicians, hypnotists and a grand finale that was as good as something you would see at a theatre.  

There are three pools and spas onboard as well as the Green Thunder waterslide, an almost vertical tube that requires you to stand up, before the floor disappears to send you rocketing down a spiral at terrifying speeds. You are left with a wedgy and a heart problem but the kids think it’s Christmas. 

Many people share a distaste at the thought of being stuck on a boat for 10 days or more, but that wasn’t my experience. I got involved when I wanted to and sat back when I didn’t. What we wanted was a relaxing holiday, with good entertainment and fine weather. We got all three. 

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