Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Spirit

Overview

Recalling the extravagant theme décor of old movie palaces, the main theater on Carnival Spirit wowed us with its splashy take on Egyptiana. The 1100-seat venue sparkles with hieroglyphics and is lined with sarcophagi—plaster, of course, but gleaming with gold.

The lower, main level (Deck 2) has lounge-style couches with small cocktail tables; rows in the rear have somewhat limited sightlines (blocked by the bottom of the balcony). Upper levels have comfy high-back chairs offering ample legroom; arrive early for these—a number of the upper-level seats have views obstructed by various pillars and supports.

Drinks

Although there’s no real bar, the ship’s standard cocktail list was available from waiters serving at the Pharaoh’s Palace.

Shows & Performances

The entertainment here was above average, performed by a solid crew of singers, dancers and musicians. One show, Singin’ With the Big Band, featured a 10-piece band with several sizzling performances. Big Easy, an even more lavish entertainment, was a tribute to the music of New Orleans. Carnival obviously invests a lot in their live shows and, while not Broadway-quality, they certainly aspire to it.

Additional Details

As the largest entertainment venue on Carnival Spirit, Pharaoh’s Palace was used for a number of other events during our cruise, including trivia games, bingo, and seminars on shore excursions and shopping.