What is the best suite/cabin type for 3 people on the Norwegian Star?

[Mum81]

Hi,

 

I need some help. I am seriously considering booking a 14 night cruise on the Norwegian Star for myself, my husband and my 4 year old son. What is causing me to hesitate is the sheer confusion over the amount of different cabin/suite types available and which type I should book.:confused:

 

In Australia we have Suites, Mini Suites, Balcony Cabins, Outside Cabins and Inside Cabins. So I am struggling with the meaning of the words "villa", "penthouse", "owners suite", "spa rooms", "studio cabins" and "family rooms".:confused:

 

I would like your feedback/opinion on what is the best cabin/suite type on the Norwegian Star for our family of 3 to book. Some considerations for us include:

 

*We would love to afford a villa or an owners suite, but we can't:D

 

*A 14 night cruise is 7 nights longer than we are used to being on a cruise for, so we don't want to feel too "cramped".

 

*We definately want a balcony

 

*Cabin/Suite style and space is more important to us than ship location

 

*Noise doesn't bother us

 

Also in Australia booking a suite entitles you to priveledges like VIP embarkation, bathrobes & slippers, afternoon tea delivered to your cabin, complimentary laundry service, champagne and canapes on formal nights, preferred dining and spa arrangements, senior officers cocktail party, etc.

 

Which suite types (if any) come with perks like this?

 

Also, just to throw in another question, how much deposit is required to book the cruise? $400 pp?

 

I appreciate and information you can help me with.:)

[Fine and Jim Dandy]

Very simple answer for you. Book a category SG Penthouse suite with balcony. Huge room, huge balcony, small price. You get ALL the suite perks that NCL offers. This is the cabin you want.

[AnitaVacation]

Very simple answer for you. Book a category SG Penthouse suite with balcony. Huge room, huge balcony, small price. You get ALL the suite perks that NCL offers. This is the cabin you want.

 

^ This is what we booked on the Star for Sept '12 ....(although, only 2 of us)....it looks like it would be perfect for 3 and you have your balcony....win/win!!

[Mom2B&Z]

We just came back from the Star, there were 4 of us (2 adults, a 6.5yo and 4yo) in a mini-suite. The cabin was perfect for us, especially since the pull out bed was faithfully pulled out at night while we were at dinner, then put away while we were at breakfast. Yes, the cabin was cramped when the bed was out, but you can easily walk past it to get to the balcony. The downside for you is that there are no suite perks (concierge and butler, preferrential reservations etc), but that's one way we save money.

ITA that the penthouse suite sounds like what you are looking for, I would not suggest the family suites as they do not have balconies. There is a higher category family suite with balcony, but the costs start rising quickly ;)

Our boys loved the Star, it has great amenities for their age!

[Oviedo32765]

The BEST would be:

 

The 3-Bedroom Garden Villa

 

With three bedrooms, you could each have your own bed and bath and shower.

 

Just think - 3 bathrooms, no waiting! :D

[Fishbait17]

If you want separate space for your son (and it is within your budget), I would highly recommend the SC Two Bedroom Family Suite with balcony. It is a very well-designed space for a family your size, with plenty of separated space for everyone - one person could sleep in while another is in the living room watching TV and having breakfast with your son or while your son also sleeps undisturbed in his own bedroom. The master bathroom is fantastic, and having a second bathroom never hurts!\

 

If this is beyond your budget, look carefully at the other suites (see below) to see which one-room suite best fits your needs. Also, when booking any suite, look carefully at the deposit and cancellation policies for that type of suite, many of the higest level suites have stricter cancellation policies.

 

All suites (with the "S" designator in the cabin category, not mini suites that start with "M") come with basically the same benefits on the Star (which has no "Haven" complex). The Owner's Suites and Garden Villas come with free liquor and soft drinks, a bottle of upgraded champagne vs. sparkling wine in the other suites, and reserved seating in the theater, but all other perks are the same. Most of the difference is in the actual space of the suite itself. To get a good understanding of the different suites, go to NCL.com, click on "Learn About Our Cruises", choose your ship (NCL Star) and look at the cabins under the "Staterooms" tab. Under each photo is the option to see the Floorplan for each suite, and they look fairly accurate for the Star. Keep in mind that there are several suites on the Star that do NOT have a balcony, so take care to make sure the suite you choose has one.

 

Good luck! :)

 

Robin

[gymbomb]

Of course bigger is always nice, and NCL has great suite perks, but you'll probably have a lot of ports on a 14 day cruise that you'll also be spending a lot of money on.

 

I've done a mini suite on the Star with 3 adults (in my late 20's and I got the couch bed). With a small child I think a balcony room would be big enough since it still has a small couch bed, but I liked having the curtain to separate my "bed" from the "bedroom" part of the cabin. I would have no problems sailing in a mini suite again with 3 people -- although now I know to ask for a mattress topper to go on top of the couch bed!

[calmpets]

I sailed in a balcony stateroom on the Star as one of three adults, and it was tight. The sleeper sofa blocks the walkway to the balcony when it's open, so you basically have to crawl across the foot of the sofabed to use the balcony. If you can swing it I'd go for at least a mini-suite just to have a little extra space.

[Cmdr Cody]

You should consider a Penthouse suite since they get you the ammenities you are asking about. They have a loveseat that is a sleeper that would be perfect for a child. They are the lowest cost suite with perks that has a balcony.

[samfiremedic]

Consider the Family Suite. if you don't HAVE to have a balcony, it's an excellent deal, and bigger than the Penthouse. Plus it has actual walls you can close around the sleeping area to make it a "room".

[DMH15]

On NCL, I sailed one 14 day cruise in an outside cabin (no balcony) and another 14 day in an aft penthouse suite. Guess which I liked better?

 

If you book a cruise with an "S" for "Suite" you will NOT be disappointed.

[Mum81]

 

The Owner's Suites and Garden Villas come with free liquor and soft drinks, a bottle of upgraded champagne vs. sparkling wine in the other suites, and reserved seating in the theater, but all other perks are the same.

Good luck! :)

 

Robin

 

I didn't realise this. Sorry for not understanding the concept, but the ships based here in Australia don't even have soft drink cards. Please clarify "free liquor". Does this mean a bottle in your suite? Does it mean unlimited consumption during the cruise? :confused:

 

I still think I will go with a Penthouse suite or a Family Balcony Suite after everyones helpful advice, but I am just curious to know what you get for the price difference?

 

Thanks again :)

[Girr]

If you're willing to give up the balcony look at Family Suite 12530 or 12030 - these suites have a "bump out" which gives you a great forward view. You do loose the murphy bed, but still have a hide a bed for your son. Overall slightly more square footage than the other Family Suites. All in all its hard to go wrong with a Family Suite. The Penthouse suites also on deck 12 - with a balcony - are also great!

 

As for the DOS you get three bottles of liquor for your cabin - not unlimited access throughout the ship. Additionally the suite has unlimited sodas (in cans) and water.

[Fishbait17]

I didn't realise this. Sorry for not understanding the concept, but the ships based here in Australia don't even have soft drink cards. Please clarify "free liquor". Does this mean a bottle in your suite? Does it mean unlimited consumption during the cruise? :confused:

 

I still think I will go with a Penthouse suite or a Family Balcony Suite after everyones helpful advice, but I am just curious to know what you get for the price difference?

 

Thanks again :)

 

Not free liquor throughout the ship but liter bottles in your suite. Owner's and Deluxe Owner's Suites get three bottles, the Garden Villa gets six. For soft drinks and water, the OS, DOS and GV get unlimited cans and bottles inside the suite only, not outside at bars, dinner, etc. The champagne or sparkling wine is limited to a single bottle at embarkation, no matter which suite.

 

Robin

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[marelind]

Mini suites have a bit more room than a balcony, a curtain to separate the bed from the couch/pull out bed, and a tub shower. However, if your child is sleeping on the couch it will be difficult to get out to the balcony.

 

Suites

Suites come with access to Cagney's for lunch and dinner and lots of nice perks.

 

The SG Penthouse with balcony is a step up from the mini suite. We were in one of these a year ago. There is a curtain between the queen bed and the living area, but your child will be sleeping in the living area on the couch. The bathroomis very nice and the balcony is very nice as well.

 

The two bedroom family suite is one I would highly recommend because the master bedroom and bath are separate from the living room and the second bedroom is separate and has its own bath.

 

The highest end option (without going to the GV which is quite pricey!) is the DOS. They come with extra perks (3 bottles of liquor or wine in your cabin, replenished water and sodas, saved seats in shows, etc.). The two center DOS have a second bedroom and bath.

 

Personally, for a two week cruise you want to be comfortable, not climbing over each other to get to the balcony to see the stars at night, or being in the same room when one person is up at night or in the early morning and another wants to sleep. IMHO, I would encourage you to go for the two bedroom family suite on deck 11 or the DOS on deck 12.

[Fine and Jim Dandy]

The BEST would be:

 

The 3-Bedroom Garden Villa

 

With three bedrooms, you could each have your own bed and bath and shower.

 

Just think - 3 bathrooms, no waiting! :D

 

She said they cannot afford a garden villa. For a 14 day cruise I am guessing it would be in the $25,000-$30,000 range minimum, depending on the date and location.

[Mum81]

She said they cannot afford a garden villa. For a 14 day cruise I am guessing it would be in the $25,000-$30,000 range minimum, depending on the date and location.

 

You were right! We can't, unless we win lotto. But I appreciate all the suggestions and am now deciding between the Penthouse as you suggested or the 2 bedroom family suite. Thanks again everyone :)

[bluesea777]

Hi,

 

I need some help. I am seriously considering booking a 14 night cruise on the Norwegian Star for myself, my husband and my 4 year old son. What is causing me to hesitate is the sheer confusion over the amount of different cabin/suite types available and which type I should book.:confused:

 

In Australia we have Suites, Mini Suites, Balcony Cabins, Outside Cabins and Inside Cabins. So I am struggling with the meaning of the words "villa", "penthouse", "owners suite", "spa rooms", "studio cabins" and "family rooms".:confused:

 

I would like your feedback/opinion on what is the best cabin/suite type on the Norwegian Star for our family of 3 to book. Some considerations for us include:

 

*We would love to afford a villa or an owners suite, but we can't:D

 

*A 14 night cruise is 7 nights longer than we are used to being on a cruise for, so we don't want to feel too "cramped".

 

*We definately want a balcony

 

*Cabin/Suite style and space is more important to us than ship location

 

*Noise doesn't bother us

 

Also in Australia booking a suite entitles you to priveledges like VIP embarkation, bathrobes & slippers, afternoon tea delivered to your cabin, complimentary laundry service, champagne and canapes on formal nights, preferred dining and spa arrangements, senior officers cocktail party, etc.

 

Which suite types (if any) come with perks like this?

 

Also, just to throw in another question, how much deposit is required to book the cruise? $400 pp?

 

I appreciate and information you can help me with.:)

 

Will you be willing to give up balcony for an affordable SJ Suite (Family) ???

 

We were off the Star at the weekend - we were in the SJ Suite - and LOVED it. Huge open space! It has 2 twin beds put together as queen, a double sofa bed and a double murphy bed. There are floor to ceiling windows all along the side and we loved sitting on sofa watching out. I thought we'd miss the balcony - no we didn't - the open outdoors is a few feet away.

 

The bathroom is lovely - double sinks, bathtub and separate shower.

 

We had the suite perks - butler, coincerege, canapes, etc.

 

I'm sure you and your family will find it ideal - your 4 year old can sleep on the murphy bed - there are curtains that can be drawn surrounding it.

[LaCal]

I'd go with the Penthouse Suite which is what We did with 3 people this coming May to Alaska....

 

My Mother In-Laws coming with us....Shes a Small Woman and can Easily Sleep on the pull out sofa.....

 

Also You'll be able to have VIP Embarkation, Breakfast and Lunch in Cagneys and Full Butler Service.....

 

We Cant Wait....

 

 

Have Fun....:D

[Fine and Jim Dandy]

Will you be willing to give up balcony for an affordable SJ Suite (Family) ???

 

We were off the Star at the weekend - we were in the SJ Suite - and LOVED it. Huge open space! It has 2 twin beds put together as queen, a double sofa bed and a double murphy bed. There are floor to ceiling windows all along the side and we loved sitting on sofa watching out. I thought we'd miss the balcony - no we didn't - the open outdoors is a few feet away.

 

The bathroom is lovely - double sinks, bathtub and separate shower.

 

We had the suite perks - butler, coincerege, canapes, etc.

 

I'm sure you and your family will find it ideal - your 4 year old can sleep on the murphy bed - there are curtains that can be drawn surrounding it.

 

On the Star an SG suite is exactly like the SJ suite except one corner of the suite has a balcony. It is usually priced slightly higher, but still an exceptional value. Keep in mind there are only 4 SG suites on the entire ship, so book early if that is the cabin you want.

[Mum81]

Will you be willing to give up balcony for an affordable SJ Suite (Family) ???

 

We were off the Star at the weekend - we were in the SJ Suite - and LOVED it. Huge open space! It has 2 twin beds put together as queen, a double sofa bed and a double murphy bed. There are floor to ceiling windows all along the side and we loved sitting on sofa watching out. I thought we'd miss the balcony - no we didn't - the open outdoors is a few feet away.

 

The bathroom is lovely - double sinks, bathtub and separate shower.

 

We had the suite perks - butler, coincerege, canapes, etc.

 

I'm sure you and your family will find it ideal - your 4 year old can sleep on the murphy bed - there are curtains that can be drawn surrounding it.

 

I didn't realise that these kind of suites would have floor to ceiling windows, yet another thing I've never seen in Aus, don't suppose you have a photo?

 

I have been wondering how much use we would actually get out of the balcony as I am not sure what the temperature will be like. It will be January (which is our summer) and we will be coming from temps of 30-35 degrees celsius. Any idea what the temperature will be like on a panama canal cruise from LA to Miami?

 

I'm guessing that we might think it is a bit cold, even if everyone else considers it to be warm! The coldest it gets here even in winter is about 10-15 degrees celsius. Long story short, maybe the full length windows will serve us better anyway.

 

What are everyones views on the balcony v's the full length windows at this time of the year?

 

I know I seem a bit obsessed, but 14 nights is a long time to be on a cruise feeling like you picked the wrong cabin, and having the little one, we probably spend more time in our cabin than most. Again, I appreciate everyone going to the trouble of answering my questions :)

[Fishbait17]

On balcony vs full length windows: The only thing that might make the difference is if you are a smoker. NCL no longer allows smoking in the cabins, only on your balcony or other outdoor designated spaces (plus the casino and also cigar lounge on some ships). Perhaps also there might be a bit more restricted viewing without a balcony, as you cannot lean out to look all around you. Other than that, it's really a personal preference. Those new suites do look spectacular. I personally like the separate private dedicated spaces of true two-room suites, but your son is young and should be fine in the same room as you.

 

Not sure when you are planning to sail, but a Panama Canal cruise from NYC can go from cool to very, very warm and humid - running a full gamut of temperatures.

 

Robin

[Cmdr Cody]

All the Star Panama Canal 14 day cruises are To/From LA and Miami so it will be cool (50-70 F) in Miami/LA but warmer along the Mexican Riviera and the Panama Canal will be near the summer temp you have described.

 

A 14 day PC has quite a few stops so you should see a lot. My 16 day Trans Atlantic on the STAR in April of 2013 only has 3 stops so it's mostly on board.