Just off the Star

[love2bonboard]

I just got off the Star two days ago and had a fantastic Panama Canal adventure. I will give the most unbiased review possible...

 

We boarded the ship w/o any problems. My MIL needed a wheelchair and there was a long wait for one, but other than that, everything went very smooth. There was not much of a welcome other than vendors trying to get you to charge spa serviced, soda cards, dinning venues, and the typical cruise ship additions. This is on every ship, so I was not surprised and didn't really care. I did buy the spa pass for $165.00 for the two weeks and it was worth every single penny. We ate at the buffet (I typically hate buffets and still do ;-] ). The food on the Star was hit or miss. I don't go on cruises for the food..hmm, well maybe for the chocolate, anyway I didn't gain nor lose any weight on the cruise so it all worked out. I didn't really like the layout of the ship. I thought the pool deck was really weird. They had a small pool with two huge slides and a type of amphitheater seating that kind of closed in the area (not great for people, like me, who get a little crowd-phobic). Anyway, I had the spa pass and spent all my pool/jaccuzi time in there, so it didn't matter to me what the top pool was like (just wanted to let you know). The library was fantastic..lots of books and games and compfy chairs, however, it was right off the pool deck so when the band played it was very loud inside the library. The spinaker was replaced by suites, so the new spinaker wasn't a great place to hang out. I would have had trouble finding nice/quiet reading spots if it were not for the spa pass (I went to the spa and read in the lounge area). So, the ship was not my favorite, but there were always options. There was not a lot of overhead announcements. I had read complaints about the number of announcements, but I did not find them to be excessive. The bingo was standard and the casino was extremely tight (again all options, so if you don't have money to

donate :-) then don't play. The room (inside) was great. The bathrooms were very large and the shower had doors (much better that those frisky shower curtains). We had plenty of room for all of our stuff. Our two room stewards were excellent! I loved all of the towel animal art. I had been sailing Princess, but due to the poor customer service, I decided to go back to NCL. What a difference! While I still prefer Princess ships, food, and MUTS, I must say the NCL had far superior service. The service was the best I have ever had....they bent over backwards to help out and were always smiling. Part two will continue...

[love2bonboard]

The wait staff in the restaurants were friendly and very accomodating. The service in the buffet was great, as well. The staff was very prompt in clearing tables and they were right there to help my MIL (who uses a cane) in helping her carry her plates. The shows were very good for cruise ship shows. The banjo player was amazing. Towards the end we went to the Spinaker and did kareoke and danced...very fun. The best part of the cruise was meeting the 60 people in our roll call. We had such an amazing time with all of our new friends. I highly recommend getting envolved w/ the roll call group, it truly made this cruise extra special. I will always remember playing a new card game, golf, sharing excursions, drinking shots in the ports, dancing, eating, poker and room crawls, my spa buddy, and sharing vacation time with all of my new friends (some of which I plan on keeping in touch with for a long time, if they will put up w/ me :D. The ending of the cruise wasn't too great...delayed disembarkation...missed my 12:40 flight ugh. I'm sure there will be other posts about that. Anyway, had a great time. If you have questions I will be happy to answer.

[klingoncruiser]

Thanks for the review.:D

[Gohogs34]

Thank you for the review. We went on our first and only cruise to Alaska in September on the Pearl. We placed a deposit down and was overbooked on our flight home and got free round trip air tickets, so we are going back to Alaska on the Star in May. We are trying a different ship and time of year to make it a change just because the trips are so close to each other. I am concerned with the spinnaker lounge being moved on the Star. We stayed in there alot on the Pearl for a great viewing area. We will make it work somehow?

[GigCrusier]

What room catagory did you have? I am curious if great room stewarts have any relationship to the level of room booked?

[love2bonboard]

What room catagory did you have? I am curious if great room stewarts have any relationship to the level of room booked?

 

 

I had the cheapest room...the 4th level, inside stateroom. We had two room stewards and they were fantastic. My MIL gave them each an extra $20.00.

[love2bonboard]

Thank you for the review. We went on our first and only cruise to Alaska in September on the Pearl. We placed a deposit down and was overbooked on our flight home and got free round trip air tickets, so we are going back to Alaska on the Star in May. We are trying a different ship and time of year to make it a change just because the trips are so close to each other. I am concerned with the spinnaker lounge being moved on the Star. We stayed in there alot on the Pearl for a great viewing area. We will make it work somehow?

 

Yes, I think they made a big mistake replacing the Spinnaker for those suites. However, if you enjoy the spa (sauna, steam room, therma spa, jacuzzi, pool, and indoor lounge area) then I recommend just getting the spa pass. The views are fantastic right off the back of the ship. I used it every day for the 15 days and it was never crowded, at all. There are also big showers and they provide nice robes and great spa lotion. Now, with that being said, if you don't want the spa pass, then you may have some trouble finding nice places to recline while enjoying the views. Like I said, the Star was not my favorite ship layout, but we still had an absolutely great time w/ the best service I have had in a long time.

[Rayefan]

Thanks for the review. Much appreciated. We are going on our first NCL cruise and on the star. However, we have few cruises under our belt. Typically, we go with a balcony but this time we chose an inside on that deck 12. I am sure we are going to feel like peons with all those huge suites all around us.

 

Can you explain that spa pass to me....

 

Thanks!

[love2bonboard]

Thanks for the review. Much appreciated. We are going on our first NCL cruise and on the star. However, we have few cruises under our belt. Typically, we go with a balcony but this time we chose an inside on that deck 12. I am sure we are going to feel like peons with all those huge suites all around us.

 

Can you explain that spa pass to me....

 

Thanks!

 

The spa pass gets you into the spa area which includes a womens locker room area with showers, sauna, steam sauna, and lotion. Then, there is a shared area w/ men that has a lounge chair area (looking out the aft of the ship, with large windows), a huge thermaspa (it is like a large lounge chair inside a jacuzzi you lay on), a jacuzzi, an indoor pool, and a second and third lounge area for reading or relaxing. They only sell a small number of passes so it remains uncrowded and peacefull, no children allowed. They have hot tea, lemon water, and bar service there, as well. I was in there every single day, I loved it. You can buy the pass for the entire cruise (much cheaper if you use it a lot) or you can buy the daily pass for $20.00. I paid $165 for my 15 day cruise and it was sooooo worth the money.

[Rayefan]

Thanks for explaining to me. Much appreciated...

 

Just off the Oasis and they have an area that sounds very, very similiar.... 16 and older only! LOVED it and used it everyday... however, no charge and it tended to get crowded. Oh, well...

 

Again, Thanks!

[STARFISH*4]

THANKS for your review!

we will be on the STAR in Feb for our 5th sailing and probably last for us since she is moving to Tampa...our beloved BLUE LAGOON will be missed as will the Spinnaker but we shall see and are looking forward to sailing her once again!!

[love2bonboard]

Thanks for explaining to me. Much appreciated...

 

Just off the Oasis and they have an area that sounds very, very similiar.... 16 and older only! LOVED it and used it everyday... however, no charge and it tended to get crowded. Oh, well...

 

Again, Thanks!

 

 

Yes, that is one charge I'm glad for as it keeps it nice and quiet and, most importantly, not crowded. If they didn't charge for it, it would be swamped. I had the saunas and the pool to myself most of the time.

[Springwater21]

Thanks for the review. Much appreciated. We are going on our first NCL cruise and on the star. However, we have few cruises under our belt. Typically, we go with a balcony but this time we chose an inside on that deck 12. I am sure we are going to feel like peons with all those huge suites all around us.

 

Can you explain that spa pass to me....

 

Thanks!

 

Please don't feel like you are peon's!! We have one of those suites on our sailing-AH-penthouse with balcony, we are just ordinary people who wanted a different experience. Retired, snowbirds in Arizona in winter,felt like a little splurge was needed at our age. Enjoy your cruise!! Dona

[Alvarado]

Did you do any excursions? How about the daily activities? Was there much to do (so many sea days). We are on the January 16, 2011 sailing. I was on the Star in May to Alaska and the blue lagoon is in a better location and the food is almost the same. But the loss of the Spannaker Lounge for Alaska was a real bummer.

[love2bonboard]

Did you do any excursions? How about the daily activities? Was there much to do (so many sea days). We are on the January 16, 2011 sailing. I was on the Star in May to Alaska and the blue lagoon is in a better location and the food is almost the same. But the loss of the Spannaker Lounge for Alaska was a real bummer.

 

Yes, we did a private excursion at every port. It is really easy to walk off the ship and get a tour and much cheaper. We had no problem finding a tour and feeling safe in all of the ports. In Cartagena I just got a $3 taxi into the old walled city and shopped and walked around (glad I did that). In Cabo we did a glass bottom boat trip and it was really fun. I loved the views and enjoyed watching the sea lions. A lot of my friends did a zip line in Costa Rica and they really enjoyed it. I had done it before, so I didn't opt to do it again (although I loved it). During the day, on the ship, there are the standard activities...bingo, ice sculpting, pastry making, casino, art auction, trivia, and port talks. The evening had some nice entertainment, kareoke, and dancing. The library also had some games available to check out. We tried the Blue Lagoon twice and I wasn't really impressed and the new location of the Spinnaker lounge is really dissappointing, but none of these are deal breakers for not enjoying the cruise. Have a great time...50% of your cruise is attitude :D.

[herewego]

When you say lounge area does that include heated relaxation ones? I can never remember which NCL ships have them and I so love them!

[boopsahoy]

Does the indoor pool at the spa get any sun? Sometimes they have clear glass ceilings or domes.................

[sandyj55]

Did you do any excursions? How about the daily activities? Was there much to do (so many sea days). We are on the January 16, 2011 sailing. I was on the Star in May to Alaska and the blue lagoon is in a better location and the food is almost the same. But the loss of the Spannaker Lounge for Alaska was a real bummer.

 

We are going to be on the same cruise as you ..Jan 16..can't wait!!! Glad you asked the questions..i was wondering also.

[swedish weave]

We are going to be on the same cruise as you ..Jan 16..can't wait!!! Glad you asked the questions..i was wondering also.

 

If you want lots of information on the tours and stuff, go to the roll call for the 11/4 Panama cruise on the Star and clic on the link to the website that was set up for that trip. It will be on several of Habubabu's posts.

Lots and lots of good info there.

[momof3princesses]

I don't believe they got rid of the Blue Lagoon they just moved it. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Springwater21]

The wait staff in the restaurants were friendly and very accomodating. The service in the buffet was great, as well. The staff was very prompt in clearing tables and they were right there to help my MIL (who uses a cane) in helping her carry her plates. The shows were very good for cruise ship shows. The banjo player was amazing. Towards the end we went to the Spinaker and did kareoke and danced...very fun. The best part of the cruise was meeting the 60 people in our roll call. We had such an amazing time with all of our new friends. I highly recommend getting envolved w/ the roll call group, it truly made this cruise extra special. I will always remember playing a new card game, golf, sharing excursions, drinking shots in the ports, dancing, eating, poker and room crawls, my spa buddy, and sharing vacation time with all of my new friends (some of which I plan on keeping in touch with for a long time, if they will put up w/ me :D. The ending of the cruise wasn't too great...delayed disembarkation...missed my 12:40 flight ugh. I'm sure there will be other posts about that. Anyway, had a great time. If you have questions I will be happy to answer.

 

how did the airline handle the missed flight. We have a 12:50pm flight from LAX on United for Feb12th, were you able to get the next one? I ask, because I have never missed a flight! We are 2 couples traveling together back to Yuma Arizona. Thanks for any info. Dona

[swedish weave]

I don't believe they got rid of the Blue Lagoon they just moved it. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

The Blue Lagoon is now on deck 8. It occupies the area that used to be half of the Endless Summer. Very nice location and out of the mainstream of foot traffic. It overlooks the atrium.

[love2bonboard]

how did the airline handle the missed flight. We have a 12:50pm flight from LAX on United for Feb12th, were you able to get the next one? I ask, because I have never missed a flight! We are 2 couples traveling together back to Yuma Arizona. Thanks for any info. Dona

 

 

Delta charged me $50.00 to get a later flight..about 3 hours later (whew). I have talked w/ others who said their airline did not charge them to change tickets.

[OceanDreaming2]

The spa on the Star does NOT have the heated tile loungers. It has floor to ceiling windows and faces aft, so you have a wonderful view.

[newmexicoNita]

The Blue Lagoon is now on deck 8. It occupies the area that used to be half of the Endless Summer. Very nice location and out of the mainstream of foot traffic. It overlooks the atrium.

 

that sounds much better, the old location was awful just like it is on the Spirit.

 

Nita