nhtraveler313

We'll be sailing on the Star in a year. I know a lot can change in a year, especially with NCL, but these reviews leave me with two thoughts about my cruise.

First, the positive. After being a bit disappointed that 16+ day cruises don't get Freestyle Choice, I'm now glad the UDP/UBP aren't included. Perhaps fewer lines, better service and a staff less overwhelmed.

And the negative, we're on one of a series of repositioning cruises, so these issues could apply. The Star will make multiple one-time cruises after sailing the Baltic for the summer. My leg is from Istanbul to Dubai, and then it sails on to Asia.

Does anyone have an idea of when/if the staff will change?

We wanted the first night because it's included in the UDP package.

We wavered awhile on the UDP for our December cruise, but finally bought it. First, checked on times available at the restaurants and the Illusionarium (early only). Next, bought the UDP and went to make reservations. In that short span, the Illusionarium sold out the first night.

I'm hoping to get reservations right after we board, but I read a post from a person who tried the same and was told it was still sold out, so they'd have to pay for another night.

Has anyone else been unable to reserve first-night Illusionarium seats once on board (when it was sold out online)?

I plan to arrive early to get a vibe pass and possibly a cabana on the Getaway in early December, but my husband is less enthusiastic about an early arrival. If he arrives later, can I buy a vibe pass for each of us, even if he's not checked in yet?

Thanks.

Thanks for all the help, especially sdmike. :D Your photo was helpful, and your Epic cabin description threads are incredible.

We value our privacy enough not to risk this cabin (There's nothing like eating breakfast on the balcony in your bathrobes!)

We're switching to a B6 large balcony category on the 12th deck by the forward elevators. It didn't cost much more, and it takes away any worries about the balcony.

Thanks again.

Yes, that's the thread. And I'm trying to decide if I should change my "mostly covered" cabin to a covered one (in a less desired location).

No need to apologize! I appreciate your effort to help.

No, I don't believe it's a "hull" or "cove" balcony. They would actually have more privacy. According to sdmike's great thread describing Epic cabins, many balconies on deck 8 don't have a "roof," and passengers above can look right onto the balcony below.

Has anyone stayed in one of the Epic balconies described as "mostly covered" on sdmike's thread? (8046-8047,8074-8075,9020-9021)

We discovered a good OBC deal from our online TA the last day of the sale, so I just picked a cabin based on decks plans. I wasn't aware until checking CC that some Epic balconies were fully exposed to floors above (I was on Epic before, but it was a studio.)

We're in 8074 by the forward elevators, a position I wanted. To get a fully covered balcony in category BC, we'd have to move to mid-ship, which is less convenient, or upgrade, which could affect the promotion.

So I'm trying to determine exactly what "mostly covered" means. If we're only in view while leaning at the railing, that would be OK, but if we can be seen while sitting, I'll definitely change cabins.

Thanks for any help

Hello north-bound and any other experts,

We will dock with the NCL Sun from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at Frihamnen and plan to go to Vasa Museum and Gamla Stan.

The public transport website shows Bus 1 and Bus 76 as the options, but Bus 76 doesn't begin until 9:06 a.m. I also thought it took just 1 bus ride, but the website adds a tram, the metro or another bus, depending on the departure time:

8:21 a.m.: take Bus 1, get off at Stureplan, walk to Nyproplan, take City Tram 7 to Nordiska (Vasa).

8:36 a.m.: take Bus 1, get off at Värtavägen, from Karlaplan take Metro line 13 to Östermalmstorg, then City Tram 7 from Nybroplan to Vasa.

8:51 a.m.: take bus 1, get off at Värtavägen, take bus 44 from Karlaplan to Vasa.

9:06 a.m.: take bus 76, get off at Djurgårdsbron, take bus 44 from Strandvägen to Vasa.

We hope to depart Frihamnen before the first Bus 76, but the earlier options seem more difficult, and I haven't read much about the tram. Are these options easier to figure out than they seem? Is there a better way? We'd prefer public transportation, but if the earlier buses are too much of a hassle, what would a taxi cost?

If we wait for Bus 76, how long is the walk from Djurgårdsbron to Vasa?

Also, would you agree with the website's recommendations for the return journey from Gamla Stan:

departs every 10 minutes: Metro red line 13 to Karlaplan or Gardet and then pick up Bus 1 to Frihamnen.

departs every 20 minutes: Metro red line 14 to Slussen and then pick up bus 76 to Frihamnen.

Is the Metro easy to navigate? How easy is it to find bus stops from the metro stations?

Thanks,

Barbara

nhtraveler313

Hi Anni.

Thanks for all your wonderful advice. We will be in Warnemunde on the NCL Sun on Sunday, June 10, and had a few questions.

What is generally closed on Sundays? All shops? Most restaurants?

Also, we were looking at the 8:22 train to Lubeck. If we return at 3:04, we would have the 5:04 train as a backup, but only 4 hours in Lubeck. If we take the 5:04, we'd have 6 hours in Lubeck but no backup (the next train would arrive too late). Would you feel safe taking the later train, given what you know about German trains?

If we take the earlier train, we'll also explore Warnemunde or Rostock. Is one better than the other on a Sunday evening?

Thanks,

Barbara