RanchoDeluxe

NCL used to have a tie in with Nickelodeon, but there are no costumed characters currently.

I agree with JaJa, we gots lots of characters.

Last trip on Star November 2015

The Star is the only ship I have sailed on twice. I sailed first with a balcony and the second time inside. Two people fit fine in an inside. Plenty of storage – and we are able to overpack because we drive to the port. There is no extra space though and if you want to go back to your cabin and relax the only resting place is on the bed.

I really like a ship with long corridors and comfy couches so I can curl up and watch the world go by. The Star had inside open spaces, but more chairs than comfy seating. That, and the buffet, are my big dislikes.

We never had a problem finding sun loungers outside, but we never tried to get a place right by the pool.

We liked both the casual dining room, Taste and the posher room, Versailles. I cannot tell you about the extra restaurants. Specialty dining is not my husband’s thing so these rooms were his preference. We did not like the buffet, Market Café, only because it feels like a cafeteria. When we ate there the food was OK, just the ambiance wasn’t great. However, crepes made to order found there at night are wonderful. My husband also likes to stop in O’Sheehans – or as he calls it Shenanigans. When we first cruised the Star, the restaurant was called Blue Lagoon but the 24-hour concept was the same.

We never had a problem with bar service. On the first day the bars were a little crowded and there were lines sometimes at the deck bars, but as people settled into their drink packages that improved. A lot of people need to wear out their room card on the first day.

We enjoyed the theater. No bad seats. The evening entertainment in the main theater on NCL is far superior to Carnival, my only comparison. (Carnivals’s shows just meh – her comedy is pretty good though.)

When we had the inside cabin we purchased passes to the Spa Thermal Suite. Well worth the price. The Star does not have a public adults-only area so we bought one for the week. Loved the thalassotherapy pool and the Star spa has a lap pool. You can actually swim for exercise.

One of the finest features of the Star is her promenade on deck 7. I spend hours there. If you are lucky you can get a lounger. I think they are on the starboard side. Nice walking and viewing.

She is a lovely ship with a hint of old ship style – she leans more toward brass and wood than neon and glass. I’d do her again but I have others to try. Next up Epic.

I was researching the thermal suite pass for our upcoming cruise on the Star to see if this is something that we want to do. Has anyone purchased this in the past and can comment on their experience?

 

It appears to me that the Thermal Suite amenities vary from ship to ship and the one on the Star might not be as good as how they advertise it on the website. We would love a nice quite place to relax and read and get away from the craziness near the main pool, but we don't want to pay a bunch of money for a small crowded area that doesn't offer much in return.

 

Thanks!!

We (DH & I) were on the Star last November. Had an inside cabin so I booked the spa for the week for my quiet place with a view. The layout of the Thermal Spa, as you are facing aft is: pools in the center of the ship; ladies lockers on the left; gents on the right. There are three pools – one a hot tub, one a Thalassotherapy pool, and one a lap pool where the water is cooler. There are showers in the pool area. Padded loungers face the wake through a wall of windows.

Also on the aft one to each side, are quiet areas with couches and chairs. There rooms wrap around the corner of the ship with a floor to ceiling view of the sea. They each are separated from the pool area with a door that closes. Looks like one for gents, one for ladies but my husband and I shared one several times with other people. At those times no one minded an opposite sex on that side, but the rooms had been empty when the group entered. (We would of course be respectful if someone entered who may want gender alone space.)

The ladies lockers had a sauna and the usual lockers, shower and prep area. We did not have access to the cold plunge pool as that was in the gentlemen’s locker area. (Discrimination!)

I initially booked the spa pass because we were sailing in November and I wanted to have a place – beside my inside cabin- if the weather was bad. We like hot tubs, but not fighting the crowded soup on the main decks. The Thalassotherapy pool is awesome. Spent time in it each day. After a long day in port it is heaven to sink into the warm, pounding water.

I will continue to get the pass in the future if the ship has a nice area; some ships won’t have enough facilities to be worth it. I go on Epic this November and am waiting for my 90 day window to open so I can jump on that purchase. I believe the current pricing is 179 for a seven day cruise if you purchase in advance and 199 on the ship. I do not know if NCL is charging a gratuity of 18% on top of that.

93 93 93 93 93

This sounds like a question in the Cards Against Humanity game. I'll leave others to fill in the blanks!

I lean more toward Exploding Kittens, but I like your reference!

Yep one side has a door at the top which comes out in the spa. The door has 'staff only' on the spa side, but nothing on the other side. We accidentley broke into the spa using it :D

Maybe I can get "extended hours" on my pass if I jam the door open!?

Pictures here http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1923519. I've never bothered with them, but a recent passenger said they actually go up to the spa balcony area.

I appreciate the link. I know that picture and it frustrated me that my question was not answered. How dare they not post everything I want to know. **Huff**

Appreciate it everyone.

Thanks to the magic of Cruise Critic I now know the rest of the story.

They go up to Deck 14, where there is a door into the thermal suite (at least on the port side). They go down "all the way", but I believe they become crew only below Deck 8.

Excellent! (I will have the thermal spa pass.) Again, thanks.

A question to those of you who understand the title of the post.

At what deck levels does the stairway stop and start? I’m aft inside on 12 and I can see making use of these open air stairs.

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Thank you in advance.

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Foreign ports do not want you bringing in food, just like the US does not want you bringing in food.

When I have gotten off the port in Cozumel the last two trips, dogs have been present with their handlers, sniffing for food. I am sure they sniff for other things also, but there were piles of fruit that people had to leave at the doggie stations.

Departures from Florida will pay sales tax on purchases in port and within the three mile limit. The base sales tax rate in Florida is 6% You will be charged at least that.

Miami is entitled to a Local Option Food and Beverage Tax. I do not know if they apply that to cruise ships.

Any county, as defined in s. 125.011(1), F.S., may impose two separate taxes:

A tax of 2 percent may be imposed on the sale of food, beverages, and alcoholic beverages in hotels and motels. The funds are used to promote the county and its municipalities as a destination for conventions, trade shows, and pleasure travel.

A tax of 1 percent may be imposed on the sale of food, beverages, and alcoholic beverages in certain establishments. The county must use at least 15 percent of the funds to build and operate domestic violence centers. The remainder is used to help the homeless or those about to become homeless.

Only Miami-Dade County is eligible to levy these taxes.

Anyone else able to comment on sugar free/diet/decaf options?

 

Wifey needs to know as she is ultra health conscious and caffeine sends her crazy!

NCL serves Pepsi products - no Coca Cola. :mad:

But what specifically? I think it is Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mt. Dew, Ginger Ale, Tonic water, and Club Soda.

I have some questions, or am actually looking for Advice on our Epic cruise next March. We are from the middle of the country so will be flying down, I've heard it's better to fly in a day early and stay at a hotel the night before, so I'm looking for advice on: Flights to MCO, then how to get to the Port- do we use a taxi? Is there some kind of shuttle? Do we use Uber?

Are there any decent Hotels there for one night at a good price?

Do we need to Rent a car?

After our cruise is completed we'll be staying a few nights in Orlando- should we rent a car then, and is there a service to do so around the Port? Any suggestions, or tips would be great!

Thank you!

Post cruise - where are you staying in Orlando? For example if you are being taken to the Mouse House you can easily stay on property without a car. if not I would recommend you rent one. BY Mouse House I mean you are staying a a WDW resort property.

wondering about opinions on the prior entry

I sail in November in the eastern Caribbean. Looking forward to hearing about the ship.

Hope the cruise week is super. Enjoying your updates.

I'm making a list of "must try" drinks (the hubby and I are big drinkers so we plan on getting our money's worth) - so far I have the Mango Meltdown and Raspberry Guava mojito. We aren't much for wine aside from Pinot Grigio or something sweet. I love beer the most but don't want to get bloated while running around in a bikini all week. Can anyone suggest a good vodka drink that isn't overly sweet (aside from flavored vodka/soda water)? :)

If you have not had a Rebellious Fish you must have at least one.

http://c3270052.r52.cf0.rackcdn.com/lido/rebellious-fish-pdf.pdf

Following - on the EPIC in Nov

Following - sailing in November

Here is a list of the matre'd email addresses

 

 

 

Maitre d' - xxmaitred@carnival.com

Steakhouse - xxsteakhouse@carnival.com (for ships with a steakhouse)

 

Thank you for posting this!

Overall great value. I hate it when people book a value cruise and complain they didn't get lobster

Thanks for the input on the casino and other areas. We have a women's cruise (we all too old to call it a girls cruise) on Mothers day weekend and I appreciate current info.

I agree with your last statement. We have an 3-person, 4-day trip, with all-day food, with entertainment, one overpriced AI excursion, and tips prepaid, for under $1600. If I didn't drink I could leave all my credit cards at home. And I get table service a-la-carte, cabana boys, shows, a piano bar, comedians, and a fitness center. With such a deal I am not getting Cunard service.

BTW everyone - TIP EXTRA!

Carnival Paradise deck plans

http://www.carnival.com/~/media/Images/Ships/PA/DeckPlans/carnival-paradise-Deck-Plan-pdf.ashx

 

No outside promenades until the lido deck.

Look at the forward Verandah deck - above the bridge... public space not too many people go to.

Your review is dandy. Thanks. I'm sailing in May and reading up on the Paradise, so I enjoy an up to date review.

Thank you all for letting me know to have my credit card in hand when I book the package.

I will call NCL and ask them about the cancel rules and let you know the answer .

I want to book the Thermal Spa package on my upcoming cruise. Because it is discounted if I order it online versus on the ship, and because it could sell out I will order it online. I have three questions, if you know the answers.

1. Do I need to have payment information when I ‘push the button’ or will I pay for it in my onboard account?

2. If my husband decides it is not for him, can I cancel one of two ordered once on board.

3. If I can cancel one, will I get a refund or a non refundable room credit?

Thank you all.

Yes the showers have a glass door but I disagree that they are a nice size!! Not being an architect I don't know how to rearrange but they could be two thirds the size and still be user friendly. Then there would be more room in the cabin. At present both occupiers of the cabin could both shower at the same time and there would still be room left over.

 

Mike

Pom by Birth; Retired Coin Collecting Kiwi by Choice.

Personally I kinda like two in a shower. ;)

I just spend as little time as necessary in the teeny tiny 142 sq foot cabin.

The showers are a nice size and have a glass door, not a curtain.

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