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The Suite Life - Star Mar 6

gehrandt

By gehrandt,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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gehrandt

gehrandt

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We just got home from the Star yesterday - had a wonderful trip.

 

Started out from home much earlier then we needed to but since we hadn't gone down the mountain before to get to Sky Harbor (Phoenix) - as normal, if you have plenty of time you hit every green light, so we got there with tons of time. And it was a good thing as when we tried to check in our bag we (and the agent) discovered that our flight had been cancelled. Ooops! So she put us on a much later flight and added us to standby for an earlier flight with our bag. No problem - we were among the few that made standby.

 

We stayed at the Sheraton Gateway near LAX - four star except for the bathrooms. They very nicely let us check in early and gave us access to the Club Room - only discovered it closed down on the weekends but did have some free internet access and fruit.

 

Saturday morning DH decided that we should go to the dock early so called John of Save-on shuttle and he rearranged things and picked us up about an hour early. By the time we got to the Port it was sort of raining. People standing outside the terminal building - huddling. They finally took pity and opened the doors but check-in didn't start for sometime and boarding slightly after noon. Long wait but not their fault as we were there long before official boarding time. We had priority boarding which didn't actually come into effect until they started checking everyone in - then you went to designated lines. After check in there was a separate sitting area for Priority. They also had sandwiches and juice set up.

 

After waiting awhile Jojit Bayan came over to escort us to our room. Because our computer had had a problem we stopped by the desk to have our credit card scanned, only took a minute or two. Then Jojit showed us to our suite - The Van Gogh. It was beautiful! - DH took pictures which I'll post later. After showing us around he escorted us to Cagney's for lunch. Cagney's for lunch and breakfast was a great perk!

 

Later we met Henry, our Butler. He was really wonderful. Never seemed to mind when we couldn't get something to work. Also a big smile. And then there was Authoreen, our stewardess! Beautiful singing voice and a smile that fills her face. On other cruises we never really knew our steward - room was always kept well but mostly done while we were gone. Because we used our suite so much we talked with Authoreen daily. When we would head out for a port she would remind us to put on lots of sun screen.

 

If you are lucky enough to get Henry and Authoreen, feel blessed - and give them a hug from us!

 

Simone also introducted herself and made sure that we knew we could call on her anytime - she does as great a job as everyone has mentioned.

 

Our suite had a dining area, living room, lovely bedroom with desk (and laptop computer - but not free internet time), sitting bench. A big walk-in closet with lots of drawer space and also a built-in pants press. There was a scale, hair dryer, jetted tub, two balconies. Also had a clock in the bedroom but you couldn't see it in the dark. Our bedroom drape had to be pulled at night so it didn't interfer with the Bridge.

 

There was a fantastic coffee maker which did all different sorts of coffees - which we never ended up using as DH can't drink coffee of any sort.

 

The bed was a Bliss Bed (I have to find one of those!!!) - needless to say, it was fantastic. Also Henry found both of us the perfect pillow from the pillow menu. There was a built-in TV in the bedroom, above the tub and a TV in the living room.

 

All the carpets had been replaced (and spills still happened in the hallways).

 

A lot of the crew had only gotten back on the 6th - so they didn't know where things had been moved any more then we did. Took 3 crew members before we found the library (which is in a temp. home by the Internet Cafe on Deck 9 - just shelves against the wall. Eventually I think it is suppose to end up on Deck 7.

 

La Cucina and the Art Gallery moved to Deck 6, mid ship.

Duty Free Gift Shops on Deck 7 Forward

The Spinnaker Lounge moved to Deck 7, aft, also the Photo Gallery.

The Blue Lagoon is on Deck 8, mid ship, port side of Endless Summer.

 

The old Spinnaker location is being turned into staterooms.

 

At our meet and Greet put together by SeaShark (great job) the crew gave more information and answered questions but we were to far away to hear so I'm sure that someone else will update on that. Also got to meet Amoose and her DH - lovely couple.

 

We ate at the Blue Lagoon once and it was nice as it wasn't a buffet - DH is not a buffet fan and since I have to get both of our food at them I'm not either so didn't eat at the Market Cafe. DH did visit the soft ice cream maker on a daily basis (it is located at the far end of the Market Cafe).

 

Ate at both MDRs - Aqua is smaller and less people go there. Versailles is beautiful. I enjoyed all most everything - only problem I noticed was that most of the food, by the time it arrived, wasn't hot. And a few items were different then I expected, i.e. Stroganoff, etc. When I didn't like the way the stroganoff was prepared our waiter noticed and immediately replaced it for me - the roast turkey was excellent & hot. Aqua seemed to get the food to you hotter - probably because it is smaller. Quite a challenge serving so many people at once.

 

We didn't go to the shows so can't comment.

 

We did priority walkoff as we only had one bag and an early flight out of LAX - it took a little longer then expected as the Coast Guard was doing an inspection - but we were off and through customs (a breeze) by 8:30am. Gave John of Save-on a call as we left customs and he was there within 10 minutes - one other group was ready from Princess and he picked them up. LAX at Southwest was a zoo but organized - lots of long lines but at least they moved.

 

Enjoyed all the ports (I'll write them up later) - time to go unpack. Hard getting back to reality.

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d man

d man

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We also cruised in The Van Gogh suite on the Star a couple of month ago. We had Authoreen Harris as our stewardess and also on our cruise to South America last winter. She is a very special person and we consider her part of our extended family.

 

Enjoy

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d man

d man

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She is very special. Did you hear her sing? She was singing Amazing Grace one morning - a lovely voice. NCL is really lucky to have her.

Yes, she's always singing. I would tell her she needs to sing in the crew talent show, but she would only laugh and say no. She will be transferring to the Epic when it sets sail.

 

Enjoy

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gehrandt

gehrandt

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Thank you for your review.

 

Does the Star have the aft kids pool like the Dawn? and is it still there?

 

What kind of staterooms did they put where Spinakers was?

 

We never went to the pool - walked around it and everyone looked like they were having a great time but didn't pay much attention. First sea day was overcast and cool but pool still had a lot of people.

 

Where they were working on the staterooms was blocked off - again we didn't pay much attention. At the M&G the crew was answering questions but we were off to the side and couldn't hear most of them and then DH wanted to leave. Hopefully others who were there will give a reveiw of what was said.

 

We were just darn lazy and it is really hard getting back to feeding DH.

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rickechambers1@aol.com

rickechambers1@aol.com

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OP.. Great review.. I hate to sound stupid since we have been on the Star twice, but what is the Van Gogh suite? We are in an AA on a May sailing. Do those have names too?

 

I recall the two OS we had on Jewel having names...I think the Black Opal and Yellow Diamond are the suites on deck 9.

 

OP...kudos to you! You live an hours flight from LAX but still gave yourself enough time to allow for mistakes to happen...and they did. But all was well for pre-planning. Nice review.

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kapoho2

kapoho2

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Only when the pool freezes over ;)

 

I am surprised that the pool did not freeze over on our Mar. 6th cruise. The weather on the sea days was downrright chilly and windy. Twice previously, I have done this cruise in late April and the weather was wonderful. I guess March is just too early for the Mexican Riviera....or this was just a freaky weather pattern. Oh well, I just had to spend more time enjoying the restaurants!!

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terrymtex01

terrymtex01

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I recall the two OS we had on Jewel having names...I think the Black Opal and Yellow Diamond are the suites on deck 9.

 

OP...kudos to you! You live an hours flight from LAX but still gave yourself enough time to allow for mistakes to happen...and they did. But all was well for pre-planning. Nice review.

 

Thanks Ricke.. I see you were on the Grandure at one time as well. We thought she was a beautiful ship and enjoyed her very much. 8-)

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SeaShark

SeaShark

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Will the weather be cold enough in teh middle of May to freeze the pool over or should I take a swim suit along and actually be able to spend some time comfortably in the pool and hot tub? Is the pool heated?

 

The pool temp is announced on the TV on Channel 2 and was at 28 Celsius all week (82.4 Fahrenheit).

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CRUZIN TOM

CRUZIN TOM

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There is no change to the kids area on deck 12 aft. Still hard ice cream. The paint is nwew in a lot of areas on the ship. New carpets in the stairwells and landings. It took an extra 3 days to get the gift shop and Jewerly store set up with there supplies. They were still at it when we left the ship 3 days ago.:)

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CornMuffinsMama

CornMuffinsMama

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There is no change to the kids area on deck 12 aft. Still hard ice cream. The paint is nwew in a lot of areas on the ship. New carpets in the stairwells and landings. It took an extra 3 days to get the gift shop and Jewerly store set up with there supplies. They were still at it when we left the ship 3 days ago.:)

 

Did they say when they'd be done with construction and setting stuff up and all?

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rickechambers1@aol.com

rickechambers1@aol.com

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Thanks Ricke.. I see you were on the Grandure at one time as well. We thought she was a beautiful ship and enjoyed her very much. 8-)

 

Twice actually on Grandeur, a 9 day and an 11 day. It was a good ship at one time, but with the new ships, just cannot compare. On the 9 day from Baltimore and on the return the engines failed...had to have tug boats push us up the Chesapeake to the Baltimore harbor. I remember laughing so hard when we were sitting on our balcony going about 5 MPH and saw that we were going so slow that we were being 'lapped' by butterflies...literally.

 

To the suite topic...does anyone know if the Epic has 2 bathrooms in the A2? And, probably too early as nobody is first-hand familiar, but is there an advantage to choosing 17033 as it appears larger?

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SeaShark

SeaShark

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Where can we get free ice cream on the Star. We will be sailing May 1st and my husband will go nuts if he can't have ice cream daily!

 

Thanks!:)

 

On the starboard side of the Market Cafe, all the way aft, you will find the soft serve ice cream machine.

 

If you leave the Market Cafe on the starboard side aft and walk toward the kiddie pool, just before you go outside you will find the place where you can get hard ice cream.

 

 

Enjoy.

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