Review of NCL Star Oct14-21 Bermuda

[luv2cruise53]

In the future, before this delightful review has ended, I absolutely MUST know what the final bar bill was for this trip! ;)

 

Seriously, not that much, I don't think I ever paid more than 8 bucks for a drink with tip. the Gran Marnier at the Star bar was $12.00(double) and my frozen drinks were around $8.00 the Pub-hop crawl was $25.00 and so all in all not heavy. My entire bill for the week was $435.00 with pre-paid gratuities so $435.00 real money. I bought two cartons for $80.00 and I bought some souveniers and a specialty dinner so I guess some may say hefty but I say quite reasonable.

 

Kev:cool:

[luv2cruise53]

So I went to the Red Lion Pub and let me tell you the place was packed. Monday night football was on and Kenny was nowhere to be seen. In the left corner his set up was there so I assumed he was on break or watching the game. The Broncos were playing the Chargers, Peyton was tossing some mean passes, the popcorn was popping, the drinks were flowing. It was truly a packed and fun pub like atmosphere so guess what...I decided to have a drink. Since I was in an English pub I decided to order a Black and Tan so I sauntered up to the bar and immediately a bartender...no clue on his name...said Mr. Kevin...what do you need. So I said......A Frozen Mudslide please....got ya....LOL. I know what I said earlier but I really do need to consider the gym. Any ways, the game was back and forth with a lot of scoring and I truly had a good pub time. It was going on 11:30 and my casino money was saved for the end, so I decided to forgo the Star bar and check on the Spinnaker where a 70's disco party, to coincide with Band on the Run was supposed to be happening. I moved thru the Lion out the door, out to the promenade for a quick smoke.....It was a nice night. Low 70's and a slight breeze....However those waves were starting to seperate and create swells, so I knew it was the beginning of a fun ride(depending on your point of view). The Spinnaker was not doing the 70's disco. There were about twenty couples on the dance floor and they were doing the dance latina. They were quite good, and they seemed to be the only patrons, so I guess the nice Girl DJ (Name escapes me...who knew?) played for her audience.

It was just as well, I was bushed and so I decided now was a good as time as any to cabin it. So off to 5502. Turn on the not flat screen TV and the movie channel and It was on Rock of Ages... the Part where ....Julie Hough is singing Here I go Again....Got Ya.....Ha Ha Ha LOL....no ROFL. No ROFLMA :D

 

I watched this for a while till I fell asleep with Rock of Ages playing away, shortly thereafter I awoke to use the bathroom and the movie of course was at the part where Alex Baldwin was kissing Russell Brand. Who knew?

 

Next up: The Day of the Swells.

 

Kev:cool:

[turning40withMickey]

Lots of interesting teasers for upcoming posts, I am sure you won't disappoint!

 

 

You really do like to live dangerously with the steak doneness...I have a friend who says she likes to hear it "moo" ... I prefer NOT to watch her eat her drippy red meat! I am right there with you on the frozen beverages, though. Yummmmmm....with extra whipped cream, bring the can right over to my seat, thank you.

 

Your review is delightfully entertaining, excellent job!

[PathfinderEss]

Really enjoying your review, looking forward to the rest.

[luv2cruise53]

Hello all;

 

I will resume this review shortly:

 

Next up:

day 3, Sea day 2, the Day of the Swells. Or the Reggae Band splashdown

 

Kev:cool:

[ABC Cruisers]

loving your review, we will be on the Star this Sunday! Anything not to be missed?

[philatiger]

loving your review, we will be on the Star this Sunday! Anything not to be missed?

 

Hope you enjoy the cruise. We loved the star and Monica was great if you are in a suite this time.

[camz]

Hello all;

 

I will resume this review shortly:

 

Next up:

day 3, Sea day 2, the Day of the Swells. Or the Reggae Band splashdown

 

Kev:cool:

 

I love how you give us updates on when to expect the next chapter! Very thoughtful and classy. :)

[ABC Cruisers]

Hey Chuck, it's great to hear from you. I posted to Cindy & Kent on their rollcall earlier, they are on the Star 2 weeks after us! We have one of the new suites on deck 12 this time, no haven on this ship. This will be the first time in about 20 years we haven't had a balcony, but it looks like a short walk to the wonderful outside!

[NYGirl1002]

I'm guessing you're not going to finish this review by Sunday when I leave..huh?

 

If not you're gonna have to keep it on the first page for me to finish reading when I get back.

[philatiger]

Hey Chuck, it's great to hear from you. I posted to Cindy & Kent on their rollcall earlier, they are on the Star 2 weeks after us! We have one of the new suites on deck 12 this time, no haven on this ship. This will be the first time in about 20 years we haven't had a balcony, but it looks like a short walk to the wonderful outside!

 

We were in an SJ, without the balcony, the SG's were all booked. hopefully you won't have any leaks, we did.

[philatiger]

Thanks for the review Kev, great meeting you and enjoying the reading. makes me wish we were back on the Star. It was a fantastic cruise.

[ABC Cruisers]

That's not what I wanted to hear :(

Hopefully it's been fixed by now, it looks like we are going to have good weather, so cross your fingers for no rain to leak in...

[luv2cruise53]

loving your review, we will be on the Star this Sunday! Anything not to be missed?

 

Well not to miss for speciallty restaurants is something I have minimal experience in, but I will say..(not to ruin it for others but since it happens in the next installments) is do not miss La Cucina on the Star. I was not impressed at all with la cucina on the EPIC or the Spirit and vowed I would not go again, yet so many passengers on the Star raved about it and said they were not tempted to go either but were urged and did and Loved...so I was urged and did and Loved it as well ....DO NOT MISS La Cucina on the Star.....Details in today's post.

 

Kev:cool:

Edited November 9, 2012 by luv2cruise53

[luv2cruise53]

I'm guessing you're not going to finish this review by Sunday when I leave..huh?

 

If not you're gonna have to keep it on the first page for me to finish reading when I get back.

 

I may finish before Sunday....not likely and certainly not before you leave. If I want to keep it on the front page it requires posts and if nobody is reading and not posting it goes away. Just copy the link from the top browser or this link below:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=36002726

 

And place it on your desktop and then you will always have access.

 

Have a very very very good, fun and relaxing cruise....you deserve it.

 

Kev:cool:

[luv2cruise53]

Thanks for the review Kev, great meeting you and enjoying the reading. makes me wish we were back on the Star. It was a fantastic cruise.

 

Chuck and Mark. I truly enjoyed meeting you as well. Of course you made it into my review as well. The difference I think on our seperate Star experiences lies in the fact that you guys were in a Suite and all that entails, whereas porthole Kev had other experiences. But I hope you enjoy the parts that were similar to us all.

 

Kev:cool:

[Newways]

Reading lots about the Epic since it seems to be the most recommened....but this review is making me doubt the Epic

 

Very interesting

 

Chris

[luv2cruise53]

Reading lots about the Epic since it seems to be the most recommened....but this review is making me doubt the Epic

 

Very interesting

 

Chris

 

 

Chris,

 

Never doubt the EPIC. For a solo it is supreme. The rooms are a good size for 1. The price is great by paying just a little more and not a single supplement. The Solo lounge is great for meeting others and is a great addition to your cruise. The amenities far surpass any other ship in the fleet, except I mentioned the New Breakaway sailing the TA in April and then out of NYC to bermuda next summer. If you must chhose a Spring 2013 sailing fly to Miami and take on the EPIC to the Eastern caribbean. I loved the Star, I loved the Dawn, I loved the Spirit and all the NCL ships I sailed on, but I am head over heels for the EPIC and will be more so for the New Breakaway.

 

How many solo's have you heard that I met so far on the Star? 1 that's it so far.....On the EPIC there is usually about 200 minimum. Thats Huge when traveling solo....esp. your first solo adventure

 

Kev:D

Edited November 9, 2012 by luv2cruise53

[luv2cruise53]

Wump......pssssshh...wump....psssshh....wump.....pssssshh. I was dreaming I guess, cause I had no idea what a wump....psssshh was but as I awakened to the day I noticed first, sunlight thru the porthole, a noticeable motion to the ship(Remember I was dead forward and after each wump.....spray was (psssshhh) flying past my porthole. So I turned on the trusty Bridge Chanel. It was 8:20 AM,(This is important Later my watch and Kindle said 7:20 AM...which lazy Kev never bothered to correct) It was 84 degrees...Oh my!:rolleyes: and the seas were 4-8 feet. I guess the front of the boat was 8 feet. So unsteadily I got up and started my day.

 

First things first, The freestyle daily to highlight the day.

I decided that since it was so nice, and not likely to remain so that long(Rafael) that perhaps I should hit the buffet, while bringing my sun gear and then hit the bow area for some sunshine. This turned out to be a wise choice. I noted there was bingo but I felt if it was sunny I should stay out and skip bingo. There are more bingos, and tab pulls opportunity on an NCL ship than there were people movers and more than the hefty lady could pump out in an hour.LOL There was also an information session at 2:00 on the EPIC and Breakaway in Spinnaker that I highlighted right away, as I was sailing on the Breakaway this June and wanted to hear what NCL was saying about it. Also, they often have raffles based on what people knew about each ship, and I knew a lot ....so I intended to score here as well.

 

So I showered, dressed in shorts, tank and flip flops, and packed my small beach bag, grabbed a towel and escalated to the top on deck 12.

 

Next up;

 

The Star Tidal wave Pool:cool:

 

Kev:D

[Arkansas mema]

Mr. Kevin!

Your review is the best!!! My stomach aches from laughing! We're sailing on the Star in February with LenaB, and although we've been on 10 NCL cruises, never on the Star. Appreciate all the info hidden within the humor!

[canuckgal]

More, more!!

[SMSACE6]

Yes indeed! More please!:)

[luv2cruise53]

So out onto deck 12, grab a coffee, dodge some heavily plated people movers and sit on the port side and have a smoke. The pool is in swell mode...ship goes up wave goes to back of pool....smack...ship goes down wave carooms to front and smack pssshhhhh. Kinda cool.....of course fun loving passengers are already piling in, at least 10 in there already and it's only 9:00 AM. So I grabbed a tray and had some breakfast...today I waited for an omelete, and had it with spinach and cheddar and bacon, and I waited for waffles covered with strawberries and whipped cream. And I grabbed some extra bacon cause there is no bacon police. It was all very very good. So fresh n tasty and the coffee was not half bad and I love the sweet apple juice a lot.

 

After breakfast I glance at the pool and its a foot higher on either side and now about twenty in there looking like a halloween bucket of bobbing for apples. I was tempted but wanted to lay out for maximum tanning before Bermuda. Just then booo boooo booooop, the captain came on and Good Morning and Welcome to the Beautiful Star.....gagrgarga gragargga grargftag Not a clue...nada :confused: I heard nothing but garble...Hell I am half deaf anyways and I knew exactly what he was talking about but I got nothing. It was a long message and after it ended I asked the 2 guys at the table next to me what was up? Well Hurricane Rafael with 80mph winds was due to pass over or to the east of Bermuda perhaps up to 100 miles with 80-90 mph winds later this afternoon.We should expect seas to increase from 4-12 feet to 8-16 feet by early to mid afternoon. Many squalls and thunderstorms expected and winds increasing to 50 knots.It was going to be a rough day later but we should be ok to enter Kings Wharf on time by 8:00 AM as scheduled. OK...OK...I don't mind swells. so Swell. Deal its fine.

 

So off to the bow, grab a chaise and plop down for some hot fun in the summertime.:cool:The ship is not only rolling now but it is quivering from side to side and 2 people movers just narrowly missed collision:eek: but thank god they managed to save all their plates.

 

Up Next: Kev joins the tsunami gang in the pool.

 

Kev:rolleyes:

[luv2cruise53]

So the boat was starting to heave like a humpback whale and many were tottering from side to side, but it was sunny and it was 85 degs, and it was all in all a great day to be aboard the beautiful Norwegian Star. Everyone was out and about everywhere and even though there were some worried passengers about the sea conditions there was also that perverse excitement that comes with natural weather phenomena. I laid on both sides for almost 2 hours and then about 11;00(12:00 Ship time..but idiot Kev hasn't figured that out yet) I walked midship toward the pool and purviewed the wave action. The pool was packed...nobody swimming or even moving but standing in one place in lines and rows and flowing forward.....smack....and back....smack etc.... So I said hey Mr. Kevin, I seen pictures and videos on you tube of this and I decided I am Kev and I am gonna ride the pool waves too. So dropped my beach gear on a chair and headed into the pool. It was an adventure getting down the stairs and just prior to trying one guy got smacked into the wall and needed assistance from his wife or mistress to get out, so I knew time was of the essence because the nets were iminent(The nets they throw over pools and hot tubs to close them). So I carefully manuevered into a row and wow.....it was like an undertow at a bad beach day.....sucking motion towards front and back.......shhwwwwweeeeww booomp.....shhwwwwweeeeww booomp.....shhwwwwweeeeww booomp.....What fun, but the waves were splashing high into the air on bandstand end and it was a wild sight.

 

Then, don't ask me why, but the Reggae Band came onto the stage for their afternoon set...The boat was rocking like a hurricane and these fearless Jamaicans were going for a Bob Marley afternoon...More power to em.....So; and I kid you not first song.....Come on...guess....People don't worry...bout a ting...cause evry little ting gonna be all right.....and then....unexplicably...out of the blue..........wait.....are you ready........

 

 

 

Up Next: the Reggae Band moves to the atrium

 

Kev:cool:

Edited November 10, 2012 by luv2cruise53

[luv2cruise53]

So the ship goes up...and up and up .....the water goes back and back and back then the ship goes down and the entire contents of the pool slams into the front and up and over and up and splashes all over the poor reggae band. I mean a sopping. I was awed and very worried about water and electric and we all stood and were concerned as they shook themselves off, but they were ok. But since there was no water left in the pool we all shakily moved out and the reggae band was wiping down...no sooner did we get out but crew was moving in the nets..and rightly so...it was not a good thing at this point.

 

So I watched with concern as the reggae band cleaned up and the crew was helping with clean up and netting and picking up some chairs and stuff. Two people movers were lodged into a wall and a table and crew tried to help, but they were Ok cause they still had their plates.

 

I took my sun gear and headed up again to the Bow cause their was too much drama midships and Kev does not do drama unless the drama be he.

 

Up forward the sun was still hot but a brisk breeze had sprung up and as I looked toward what I thought was Bermuda I was immediately struck by the most dramatically dark black inky sky I have ever seen.About maybe 30 minutes from now, we were going into a pitch black dark vortex of weather.

 

Up next: :eek:

 

Kev:cool:

Edited November 10, 2012 by luv2cruise53