Review of NCL Star Oct14-21 Bermuda

[luv2cruise53]

If you go Early (5:30-6:30)then you will usually snag a window. Lets see......Bear with me...and I could be wrong so not a done deal. MDR has huge and many windows...good chance here. Aqua has some but not as many...some on the left and some on the right. Ginza has lots of windows opening to the Port Side promenade. Cagneys...Dunno...Le Bistro no windows but an outdoor cafe seating area.La Cucina...I believe so but not sure.

 

Kev:cool:

 

Drinking Like I said the Star Bar is superb. The red lion pub has semi booths with large windows facing the promenade...Champagne Bar ..NO but in the delightful hidden atrium so open and great atmosphere. Bier garten...14th deck open air....Great spot day or night. all of the buffet has great windows as well.

 

Kev:cool:

[mdhaugh]

We were on the Star the previous week to your cruise, and we loved the Star Bar, too. We'd go every night for their martini deal (2 for $15). We always sat at the bar and attempted to chat up the bartender as much as we could. The bartender was friendly enough, but "all business" and measured each and every drop that she poured... each and every time, without exception, just like solving a math problem to the 5th digit beyond the decimal point. As the week went on it got to be a bit comical, but we figured she must earn weekly awards from NCL for "most drinks poured from each liter bottle"... at least we hoped she earned some recognition for saving them so much money!

Enjoying your review, can't wait to hear about the day of the liver!

[luv2cruise53]

So I woke up at 7:30 with bright sunlight coming from my tiny porthole. I turned on the TV to the Bridge chanel and it showed us a little ways from NYC.

 

Note(on a Bermuda 7 day it takes 2 sea days to get to Bermuda and one sea day to get home. The ship has a max speed of 24 Knots so ever the brilliant grad student....I have mathematically and systematically pondered this anomaly and brightly as always have determined the ship goes slower to Bermuda and faster home to NYC....Brilliant Ha?)

 

It also showed the air temp at 76 degs at 7:30 AM....I actually thought the 1st sea day might be cooler but an apparent high pressure system has todays forecast according to the daily as 84 degrees. Yum.....

 

So I took out my trusty highlighter and started in on the daily Freestyle.

 

1st off, I had my CC meet and Greet at 11:30 in Le Bistro. Then at 1:00 was the Lattitudes member cocktail party in the Spinnaker and then 2:00 was the famous/infamous pub crawl.....Highlight...YES. The at 4:00 the Martini tasting in Champagne.....MAYBE but give it a highlight anyways. I decided to stop here and wait to highlight the night based on whether I can still walk. LOL (Why do you think I call it the day of the liver?)

 

So Shower and change into shorts and Tee and flip flops. As a solo and not much fancy stuff this will be my official uniform through Saturday.

 

So I elevated up to the 12th deck, Walked by all the fancy suites and by this beautiful gorgeous and NCL classy as always, Star LIBRARY.

 

 

Then out the sliding glass doors....lots of doors slide which can be quite cool when carrying plates and coffee or drink etc.

 

Then out into the sunshine and warmth of the aft pool deck area. I sat under the smoking alcove for a few minutes and took in the views and had a smoke. Lot's of people movers laden with the family' breakfast whizzed by. So with no small amout of fear and with great trepidation I got up...slowly....and made my way to the great buffet. So I will bullet from here so I do not get to crazy.

 

• Seems at least 4 stations open ..2 on each side....
  
• Place was semi-crowded but not much line so I guess 4 is enough
  
• Breakfast fruits and cereals plentiful
  
• danish and muffins etc...looked good
  
• Cream of wheat and oatmeal station...hot and piping with all the fixins
  
• Scrambled eggs...Lots, good fluffy hot
  
• Bacon plenty, both rare and crisp on the platter. (You use tongs and take as much as you want. I have heard on some ships they have the bacon police who dole out what you need according to them)
  
• Waffles...very nice station...French toast fluffy with raisins
  
• Sausage NOTTTTTTT only brown n serve...no real links no patties(Major dissapointment but the only one so far)
  
• Omelets station...Excellent many add ins....
  
• Eggs Benedict and Eggs florentine in a saute table pan.....not good at all....stale dried muffin...eggs cold but had hot holondaise so you could if you wanted pull the english and toast your own if you wanted and that was next...toast, english, breads muffins and a quick toaster...
  
• milk, skim, regular and if you were quick enough chocolate.
  
• Coffee not bad
  
• Juice both OJ and Apple from the dispenser were both good and tasty (A guy with a cart comes around and squeezes it fresh at your table ..for a fee...not sure how much.
  

Did I like the breakfast buffet...I had 3 plates so YES. Was it better than the EPIC or Spirit...NO. Because my choice for sauasge and eggs benedict.

 

Rating: 9 out of 10

 

Ate and ate and ate cause I figured I needed the energy for my day.

 

Went back to 5502 to get towel and beach stuff. Turned on the TV and Bridge chanel said 79 degss. Yessssssssss Movie Chanel had Amazing Spiderman at the part where spidy discovers how to use his webs and trounces the city bldgs...I kid you not.

 

Up Next: The forward sun deck and hot tub.

 

Kev:cool:

Edited November 4, 2012 by luv2cruise53

[LaPrincesa]

I am so loving this review. But your reference to the porthole resembling one on a submarine sounds scary...was the porthole submerged?

 

~ La Princesa

[luv2cruise53]

I am so loving this review. But your reference to the porthole resembling one on a submarine sounds scary...was the porthole submerged?

 

~ La Princesa

 

Not yet Princessa. Not yet.....and the mystery continues:rolleyes:

 

Kev:cool:

[luv2cruise53]

So it is only 9:00AM and I have gathered my sun gear. I elevated to deck 13...and I walked on the port side up towards the bow.(see how good all my nautical vocabulary is) There were several tiers and levels and I walked up a little set of stairs and there was this truly plush and delightful area with couches and loungers and chairs made of brown whicker with plush cloth pillows etc....Very South Beach. But I was alone so I skipped the plush and went up some more stairs to another area that had the over sized hot tub and about 30 loungers(Note: the Star Loungers are abundant and actually almost have a padded feeling...very comfortable.

 

 

 

 

 

No chair hogs up here. Maybe 1/2 dozen people so I picked a spot, towel out, book ready...no sunscreen...still have a deep tan...MISTAKE YES. Kindle fire (That was me by 3:00 Kindle Fire)with music ready to go and PLOP. Thats it folks.....I have 2 hours...went into the Hot tub several times...People are always friendly in the hot tubs. Probably cause your 1/2 naked and sitting an inch from them LOL. Stayed here till 11:00 and then had to do the day. There will be plenty of time for sun but half these parties today are either free or dirt cheap...Me Like Dirt Cheap. LOL

 

Up Next: meet and Greet and Lattitudes Members Party

 

Kev:cool:

[LaPrincesa]

Not yet Princessa. Not yet.....and the mystery continues:rolleyes:

 

Kev:cool:

 

OK. Looking forward to hearing about it:D

[luv2cruise53]

Hi all;

 

Thanks for all your kind words on my review. It should be noted that I keep messing up on names of venues on this ship. I can never remember which buffet I am in. On the Epic it was the Garden cafe, On the Star it was the Market cafe, on the Dawn..no clue...and I forgot what it was called on the Spirit. Same with the Versailles. Seriously..Versaille?...anyways I have been calling it the MDR LOL.

 

So if I get names of venues wrong...forgive..I think you get the gist of what I mean.

 

Kev:cool:

[luv2cruise53]

I also said the Gem was next to us going to Canada and I got in the Gem line earlier. Well it was the Jewel going to Florida and the Bahamas....As my old Jewish Grandmother use to say...Who Knew!!!:o

 

Off to bed...Have a great week everyone. I will try to add periodically and get us to Hurricane Raphael and Bermuda ASAP.

 

Kev:cool:

[Lena B]

Kev - I'm loving your review! Can you join us out of NOLA in Feb? I'm gonna post this link on my roll call.

[luv2cruise53]

Kev - I'm loving your review! Can you join us out of NOLA in Feb? I'm gonna post this link on my roll call.

 

What a nice offer but no I can't, and trust me when I say I really really wish I could. I went out of NOLA last March on the Spirit and spent 3 days pre and 2 days post in The Crescent City and had the time of my life. I have never ever ever seen such decadence and trust me when I say I have seen a lot of decadence. Seriously, I love New Orleans for all it is and I enjoyed the Western Carib Itinerary, however; I am booked on the Breakaway June 9th and am going back to Bermuda. I am a grad student so money is tight but I love that you offered.

 

Kev:cool:

Edited November 5, 2012 by luv2cruise53

[Lena B]

We were on the Spirit last Valentine's Day - we just barely missed you! Maybe we'll meet on a cruise one day - you sound like someone I'd love to travel with.:D Keep feeding me funny and wonderful details to last me a few months!

[luv2cruise53]

We were on the Spirit last Valentine's Day - we just barely missed you! Maybe we'll meet on a cruise one day - you sound like someone I'd love to travel with.:D Keep feeding me funny and wonderful details to last me a few months!

 

Will Do Lena B

[luv2cruise53]

We were on the Spirit last Valentine's Day - we just barely missed you! Maybe we'll meet on a cruise one day - you sound like someone I'd love to travel with.:D Keep feeding me funny and wonderful details to last me a few months!

 

heres a thought. I am doing this cruise on the new and huge Breakaway on Januar 5, 2014

 

It's not badly priced at all for 12 days.

 

+12-Day Southern Caribbean Round-trip New York

Ship: Norwegian Breakaway

Embarkation port: New York City

Embarkation: Jan 5, 2014 or January 19th 2014

Disembarkation: Jan 17, 2014 or Jan 30, 2014

Ports of call: New York City; San Juan; St. Thomas; St. Maarten; St. Lucia; Barbados; St. Kitts

View itinerary detail 3071662 22161

Total Price: $1,865.43 Price for a solo cabin

Which is great for a 12 Day cruise

USD 1865.43

Number of guests: 1

Stateroom type: T1

Stateroom: 11507

Think about that Winter Break

Kev:cool:

[Lena B]

Oh Drat and double drat! We miss each other by a month again! We're booked on the Sun's Southern itinerary in Feb...maybe 2015???? Our paths are bound to cross one of these days! And I'm truly loving your super Star review!

[luv2cruise53]

Oh Drat and double drat! We miss each other by a month again! We're booked on the Sun's Southern itinerary in Feb...maybe 2015???? Our paths are bound to cross one of these days! And I'm truly loving your super Star review!

 

Well now that I know I will watch for you on these boards and we can chat

 

Kev:cool:

[hartsnvt]

I woke up early to read this most entertaining of a review I have ever read. I am hoping for more installments today! You truly make me laugh and I am so looking forward to my cruise on the pearl (ever reviewed that one?) in Dec. Thank you so much! You are truly gifted!

[BlueLadyBlue]

I started reading your TR and quickly became addicted but thankfully I have to wait for your next posts because I really have to get to work! LOL

Loving it and we are booked on our first NCL cruise in March so that makes it even more fun for me. Thanks for all the tips. Looking forward to more.:D

[luv2cruise53]

So it's 11:00 AM and 30 mins till Meet n greet. I really am looking forward to this because I have been chatting with many nice people for 6 weeks now and I hope to make some friends and be more sociable. I elevated down to trusty 5502 and my trusty TV movie channel had on Rock of Ages where Alex Baldwin is kissing Russel Brand. Great music and same song as always...LOL. I tossed my sun gear on to my plush bed which had been made up by my stalwart cabin attendant whose name I forgot but knew it then. As you will notice in these pages I do not remember anyones name, any venues names or any ships names that we encounter.(I do remember Raphael, but thats a later story) and OMG by 5:00 today I won't even remember my own name and that's the truth.

I quickly showered to be refreshing looking as if thats any more possible than I always am. JK. I walked up one flight of stairs turned right to starboard and walked down the alley and passed the Casino....Open and bustling and smoky, so I had 10 minutes and popped in for a smoke.

 

 

Finished that and went a few more yardarms to the lower second hidden atrium and into my meet n greet venue, Le Bistro.

 

 

As NCL is kind enough to always do, a nice venue, and a station with coffee, juices and pastries was set up. There looked to be about thirty people and the obligatory name tag station was set up with my name among them. Rip pat toss. done. First things first, complimentary goodies and bev's. Next I made it a point to talk to all kinds of people and chat up everyone. It was fun. I met Chuck and Phil who I had met the previous evening and we all chatted and laughed at putting faces to names...mostly screen names at that, so not only learning a face but a name to go with it.

Like I said 5 minutes after I left I couldn't remember a thing. People say I am highly educated and dumb as a block of ice at the same time. I can't disagree.

 

Soon a whole procession of ships officers marched in and lined up for introduction. It appears that everyone from the Captain, First officers, Hotel Directors, Cruise Directors, Engineers, well....everyone was there and I marveled at how the ship kept going, but going it did, so my analytical mind determined that this was a function of eeriness and magic and seemed all quite diabolical.(Can you say bermuda Triangle)

 

After saying my goodbyes I departed with the officers feeling very nautical and very important and I followed them a few feet before feeling stupid and hit the promenade deck.

 

More to Come: latitudes party...

 

Kev:cool:

[boopsahoy]

Great review keep it coming. I NEVER remember names!

[luv2cruise53]

So now I am on the promenade deck after scooting up one flight of stairs. I really must take a moment and comment on the ever present artwork on the Star. I have been told that NCL has the worlds greatest collection of their own artwork for a cruise line and has a great partnersship with a major gallery(Park West) so that artwork of very impressive stature is abundant. The stairways contain some truly unique pieces and should always be viewed while climbing or descending.

 

 

 

There are also quite a bit of gallery showings and art talks and art auctions etc... And I was impressed to say the collection this week was eclectic, and colorful as well as peppered with the names of masters such as Matisse, Picasso, Van Gogh amongst others.

 

 

This is my particular favorite and it reminds me of the time when flying from Boston to London we watched Executive Decision.

 

I must tell you that physically I am not in shape nor out of shape. I occasionaly do do the gym gym, but I had no intentions of doing it on the ship. So with three full plates in the tummy and 2 danishes I deemed it prudent and responsible to walk around the promenade a few times, and since I had almost an hour it might be more than a few...yeah right. So off I plodded and manged to get around 3 times. Then I decided to stop my abundant and physically straining escapade and saunter into the Spinnaker for Lattitudes.

 

Up Next: The Lattitudes party.

 

Kev:cool:

Edited November 5, 2012 by luv2cruise53

[punkincc]

Went back to 5502 to get towel and beach stuff. Turned on the TV and Bridge chanel said 79 degss. Yessssssssss Movie Chanel had Amazing Spiderman at the part where spidy discovers how to use his webs and trounces the city bldgs...I kid you not.

 

Kev:cool:

 

I have often wondered about this phenomena involving the movies on cruise ship TVs. I can't tell you how many times I have watched the same 15 minutes of a movie over and over again! What are the odds? I'm sure there's a scientific explanation for it:D

 

I agree with you about the Star's buffet. The food and the vibe in there is too high school cafeteria. We ate there only once. The Pearl's was totally different and we ate there often.

 

Loving your review! You have made my day! Keep it coming!

[luv2cruise53]

Went back to 5502 to get towel and beach stuff. Turned on the TV and Bridge chanel said 79 degss. Yessssssssss Movie Chanel had Amazing Spiderman at the part where spidy discovers how to use his webs and trounces the city bldgs...I kid you not.

 

Kev:cool:

 

 

Thanks for your kind words. If there is a scientific formula, as you know this brilliant analytical grad student will ponder it and find the solution....LOL

 

Keep reading...this may take some time and its gonna be a bumpy road at times.

 

I cannot believe the enthusiasm and views this humble little misive is receiving. If there are any travel writers or companies out there that appreciate this style let me know, I'll have my secretary call your secretary and we can huddle...LOL

 

 

Kev:cool:

Edited November 5, 2012 by luv2cruise53

[luv2cruise53]

So off the promenade at the aft of the ship and into the Spinnaker Lounge. Now I have mentioned before about the sheer size and utility of this space and I can tell you I was amazed at how crowded it was. I would say that the capacity must be around 600 people and it was past that as I entered with many standing around the sides and rear.

 

I have heard many people lament to the fact that the EPIC and the New Breakaway classes do not have Latitudes Parties. It is not because NCL is cheap...it is simply a matter of logistics. As time goes on and NCL becomes more and more poular they tend toward many repeat cruisers. This cruise shows that about 1/4 to 1/3 are repeat cruisers based on 600 or so to 2300 capacity. The EPIC and the new Beakaway classes are seeing huge reservations from past customers. 1/3 of a 4000 passenger ship amounts to...here comes the mathematical genius grad student...about a lot of people...

 

Since they can't fit that a lot of people anywhere we have no event. NCL should give all latitudes passenger a free drink coupon, which would allay some dissapointment...

 

Anyways getting back on track and having been accustomed to a room with this set up (Chairs that dont move but swivel ...in aisles that allow waiters to serve from behind) I summed up the possibilities and pounced on the best real estate for an optimum outcome. What is the best real estate you might ask? Well I'll fill you in on the secret, but don't tell anyone else. In a columnar service set up you must choose the outermost aisle. Closest to the aisle in the middle. Never on the fringes because...well your then a fringe. Choose an endcap...as they say in marketing, the end or beginning of a row. Why all this strategy you may ask. Well prime service focuses here. So if the drinks, which were beer, champagne and some fruity concoctions were to have any chance of replensishment, well you are in prime real estate. Location Location Location....LOL

 

I glided down the center aisle till the row ended. There were 2 people sitting in the 4 grouping. A nice looking elderly couple. It's polite to ask if you may use that chair or if its taken but how you go about it is key. You enter their zone, smile broadly, and as your ass is hitting the empty seat you ask if it is ok. Not much they can do at this point so keep looking at em a few more minutes grinning broadly and if they seem like bores then turn and ignore them for a bit, but if something funny is said on stage, reswivel and smile broadly....See you learn something new every day and I am sitting in Prime Real Estate...uhgain!

 

With this seat secure I manged 2 scoff 3 glasses of champagne, a beer and 2 fruity concoctions without asking or batting my gorgeous eyes. LOL Once in a while you must hold up your empty champagne glass to nothing in particular and because you are in prime real estate it magically gets filled, just like the ship steers itself when all the officers are off visiting like they just filed in to do now. LOL

 

So we had the officers visit, there was lots of raffles based on the latitudes invitation and it was 1:45 and I was ready to Pub Crawl.

 

Next Up: The begining of the End.

 

Kev:cool:

[luv2cruise53]

I woke up early to read this most entertaining of a review I have ever read. I am hoping for more installments today! You truly make me laugh and I am so looking forward to my cruise on the pearl (ever reviewed that one?) in Dec. Thank you so much! You are truly gifted!

 

Thank you very much. No I have not sailed on a Jewel class Ship, hell I can't even tell the Gem from the Jewel as you know. I had every intention of doing so until they innovated to EPIC and now the Breakaways.If a Jewel class ship ever goes out of Boston or NYC that fits my time and desire I will hop on it, but since the Breakaway is homeported in NYC starting Spring, it seems unlikely in the near term. too bad though. My next two cruises are on the Breakaway thru 2014.

 

Again Thanks.

 

Kev:cool: