Best place for viewing, on Star

[NMLady]

We are making a Panama Canal transit on the Star in October.

The last time we made the transit we were on the Sun which had the Spinnaker Lounge in the top deck bow with awesome indoor viewing area, and its outside viewing area. Also had the Great Outdoors in the aft, and had great window viewing in Sports Bar.

 

The Star has no observation lounge on top of bow nor does it have Great Outdoors. Where, besides hogging a table in the buffet, is there an

opportunity for great views of the canal locks? I don't think Moderno is high enough for good views.

 

I'm afraid that the Biergarten and the front 'quiet zone' will be super crowded. Plus the heat and humidity of the Canal Zone makes outdoor viewing for long periods of time uncomfortable.

 

Ideas for indoor viewing???

[Sauer-kraut]

Hey Mary Kay.... umm what about the ship's bow cam on the TV in your cabin...... :D

Just kidding! I hope you have a fantastic transit!!

[big green]

We are making a Panama Canal transit on the Star in October.

The last time we made the transit we were on the Sun which had the Spinnaker Lounge in the top deck bow with awesome indoor viewing area, and its outside viewing area. Also had the Great Outdoors in the aft, and had great window viewing in Sports Bar.

 

The Star has no observation lounge on top of bow nor does it have Great Outdoors. Where, besides hogging a table in the buffet, is there an

opportunity for great views of the canal locks? I don't think Moderno is high enough for good views.

 

I'm afraid that the Biergarten and the front 'quiet zone' will be super crowded. Plus the heat and humidity of the Canal Zone makes outdoor viewing for long periods of time uncomfortable.

 

Ideas for indoor viewing???

 

For the best viewing on this trip I would book the Pearl, Gem, Sun or Jewel.

 

 

BG---

[Pszaffveauhraunne]

It's worth going through at least one of the locks on the promenade, for an "up close and personal" experience.

[dexddd]

Indoor seating on the Star for the PC is tough, not many options compared to other ships.

 

I do recall seeing last year they opened the crew deck area by the front crew pool for people to observe from, although it is outside.

[NMLady]

For the best viewing on this trip I would book the Pearl, Gem, Sun or Jewel.

 

BG---

 

That is not helpful since we are already booked on the Star.

As I said we ARE doing the transit on the Star in October.

 

It was offered for excellent price with ta before it, so b2b as one booking.

[NMLady]

Hey Mary Kay.... umm what about the ship's bow cam on the TV in your cabin...... :D

Just kidding! I hope you have a fantastic transit!!

 

Thanks, Mer. We have an inside cabin this time so I don't think we'll be in our cabin much. But maybe one of the lounge tv's will have it. I hadn't thought of that.

I'm glad we've already done the transit once when we had excellent viewing opportunities indoors as well as outdoors.

[NMLady]

It's worth going through at least one of the locks on the promenade, for an "up close and personal" experience.

 

With so few outdoor viewing places, the promenade will be crowded with passengers so I'm not sure how much I could see.

When we made the transit before, I was out on the Observation deck by 6:30am and was still the third row of viewers. I couldn't view much despite my 5'9" height.

Also, the Promenade is only deck 7 so I would think that all that would be visible would be the side wall of the lock. But you've given me the idea to look at the deck plans to see if there's a jogging track up higher that might be used for viewing.

If so, it'll be crowded too, but everyplace will be crowded.

[NMLady]

Indoor seating on the Star for the PC is tough, not many options compared to other ships.

 

I do recall seeing last year they opened the crew deck area by the front crew pool for people to observe from, although it is outside.

 

That's good to know. I plan to be outdoors sometimes but not for hours, and not after 10am when the heat/humidity starts to become unbearable, even in October. The transit starts very early in the morning IIRC.

[valleyvillage]

Hi Mary Kay!

I love the Star, even with the change. Mainly because now we always sail in the new suites on Deck !2. They offer a great view with the floor to ceiling windows.

We transited the Canal on the Sun, and found that even with the Spinnaker we spent a lot of time on deck, or on our balcony. The humidity did not bother us that much. Maybe it was the excitement!

Deck 13 forward will be crowded, but it's still a terrific place to be on the Star. We always head up there for sailaway or going under a bridge.

There are window seats on Deck 6 along the casino area and maybe near Le Bistro. They are popular and folks sit there to read.

However you do it, I hope you have a wonderful cruise! Bon Voyage!

Richard

[NMLady]

Hi Mary Kay!

I love the Star, even with the change. Mainly because now we always sail in the new suites on Deck !2. They offer a great view with the floor to ceiling windows.

We transited the Canal on the Sun, and found that even with the Spinnaker we spent a lot of time on deck, or on our balcony. The humidity did not bother us that much. Maybe it was the excitement!

Deck 13 forward will be crowded, but it's still a terrific place to be on the Star. We always head up there for sailaway or going under a bridge.

There are window seats on Deck 6 along the casino area and maybe near Le Bistro. They are popular and folks sit there to read.

However you do it, I hope you have a wonderful cruise! Bon Voyage!

Richard

 

Thanks, Richard. Maybe one of our new friends will be someone in one of those suites and we'll be invited to do some viewing with them. I'm on our Roll Call and signed up for the Meet 'n Greet. Otherwise, I'll just cope as well as possible with the crowds when I'm outdoors viewing.

As I did on the Sun, I'll roam from place to place outdoors and indoors, finding different views.

My husband, even with his cane, can't stand for very long so will move around even more than I will.

[jdvmd]

Agree with the promenade.

[twinklinglittlestar]

That is not helpful since we are already booked on the Star.

As I said we ARE doing the transit on the Star in October.

 

It was offered for excellent price with ta before it, so b2b as one booking.

 

Would you mind writing me after you get back to tell me about it? I don't go until Feb & I can cancel into November. I'd appreciate it. I'm on yahoo - twinklinglittlestar.

 

Thanks!!

[bob brown]

Hi! Too bad you're not on the Amsterdam for this cruise, it would have been perfect!;)

 

That said, if you want to be indoors, the only public, forward facing place to sit on the Star would be in.....the Star Bar. It is indoors, is up high, but still doesn't offer the unobstructed view of a Spinnaker (or Crow's Nest).......

[NMLady]

Would you mind writing me after you get back to tell me about it? I don't go until Feb & I can cancel into November. I'd appreciate it. I'm on yahoo - twinklinglittlestar.

 

Thanks!!

 

I've written down your email address. We don't get home until afternoon of Oct 28 but I'll try to remember to email you. Is there something specific you'd like to know?

[NMLady]

Hi! Too bad you're not on the Amsterdam for this cruise, it would have been perfect!;)

 

That said, if you want to be indoors, the only public, forward facing place to sit on the Star would be in.....the Star Bar. It is indoors, is up high, but still doesn't offer the unobstructed view of a Spinnaker (or Crow's Nest).......

 

Hi, Bob. Happy memories of the Amsterdam in AK. Yeah, that would have been good. So would NCL's Sun or Jewel, both ships we've cruised on before.

 

I'll see about the Star Bar but someone said that since Concierge office is there it is only open to suite guests during the day. I'll see. Joe & I are NCL Platinum this cruise and I think concierge is one of our perks. Seems to me that should give us access to his office. :o

[Ilovesailing]

We are making a Panama Canal transit on the Star in October.

The last time we made the transit we were on the Sun which had the Spinnaker Lounge in the top deck bow with awesome indoor viewing area, and its outside viewing area. Also had the Great Outdoors in the aft, and had great window viewing in Sports Bar.

 

The Star has no observation lounge on top of bow nor does it have Great Outdoors. Where, besides hogging a table in the buffet, is there an

opportunity for great views of the canal locks? I don't think Moderno is high enough for good views.

 

I'm afraid that the Biergarten and the front 'quiet zone' will be super crowded. Plus the heat and humidity of the Canal Zone makes outdoor viewing for long periods of time uncomfortable.

 

Ideas for indoor viewing???

 

This is why we booked and aft balcony suite.

We have done this cruise before and had the Queen Victoria behind us through the locks.

[NMLady]

This is why we booked and aft balcony suite.

We have done this cruise before and had the Queen Victoria behind us through the locks.

 

We would have loved to book any balcony, but alas our budget did not allow it.

[NMLady]

Would you mind writing me after you get back to tell me about it? I don't go until Feb & I can cancel into November. I'd appreciate it. I'm on yahoo - twinklinglittlestar.

 

Thanks!!

 

We leave tomorrow for the ta part of our cruise.

You can reach me if wanted at MaryK57 at yahoo dot com.

 

Have a great time on your cruise on Oasis of the Seas.

[valleyvillage]

Oh, Mary Kay! Thinking of your upcoming Panama Canal fun. You have such a great attitude, I know you will find plenty of ways to enjoy the transit. Keep moving and keep smiling!

:D

Richard

[NMLady]

Oh, Mary Kay! Thinking of your upcoming Panama Canal fun. You have such a great attitude, I know you will find plenty of ways to enjoy the transit. Keep moving and keep smiling!

:D

Richard

 

Thanks. I figure any cruise on any ship is better than staying home. Even when there are a few things I don't like I always have a good time. I know I'll have another wonderful time on the Star despite the drawbacks.

[bob brown]

Hi, Bob. Happy memories of the Amsterdam in AK. Yeah, that would have been good. So would NCL's Sun or Jewel, both ships we've cruised on before.

 

I'll see about the Star Bar but someone said that since Concierge office is there it is only open to suite guests during the day. I'll see. Joe & I are NCL Platinum this cruise and I think concierge is one of our perks. Seems to me that should give us access to his office. :o

Hmmm....that's interesting.....I have been to the Star Bar several times, and although the concierge is sometimes sitting at the desk near the entrance, I have never been challenged, nor denied entrance. I don't think NCL lists the Star Bar as a "concierge lounge" or some such, as some other cruise lines offer for suite guests or top-tier repeat passenger's. On the other hand, the Star Bar is often closed off for various private functions, including many CC Meet and Greet's......

[B6ConMe]

Thanks. I figure any cruise on any ship is better than staying home. Even when there are a few things I don't like I always have a good time. I know I'll have another wonderful time on the Star despite the drawbacks.

 

I certainly hope you have a wonderful cruise. My first cruise ever was on the Star and I'm truly hooked on cruising now :D

We spent a few lovely hours in the Star Bar and it was open anytime we ventured up there. Vince was the Bar tender when we were there in Feb. 2012 and what a delight he was.

 

Enjoy :)

[HokiePoq]

Indoor seating on the Star for the PC is tough, not many options compared to other ships.

 

I do recall seeing last year they opened the crew deck area by the front crew pool for people to observe from, although it is outside.

 

This is good to know, thanks.

[HokiePoq]

That is not helpful since we are already booked on the Star.

As I said we ARE doing the transit on the Star in October.

 

It was offered for excellent price with ta before it, so b2b as one booking.

 

 

We booked the back to back as well as it was a very good price. Also can drive with a round trip Miami. We'll find a spot somehow, lol.