Hints If You're New To Ncl......

[wizard-of-roz]

If I had known some of the following before we cruised on the Star....Our trip would have been so much easier and more relaxing.

These are some of the things that no one suggested or told me before....I've cruised before but every ship is different!

 

1. Port side of the Star has brown doors - Starboard side has blue doors.

So, when you get off the elevator look to the left or the right;

remember, which color you are and, you'll never walk backwards again!

 

2. I couldn't find a "Do not Disturb" sign anywhere! Notice the signs, on the outside and to the left of your door. They say; "Welcome" (yellow), "Do Not Disturb" (red), "Make up Room" (blue). Our Steward would knock on our door (for two mornings), until I figured out these signs existed. They're on a spinning dial, at the bottom of the sign. I wish someone would have told us about it before the disturbances!

 

3. To get to Versailles Dining Room (if you are handicapped), you can take the elevator (located in front of the dining room, down to the 6th floor) but, make sure you use the "center" elevator, the end ones don't go to the 6th floor. On the very sides of the restaurant are "wheelchair" accessible doors.

It's also good if you have problems navigating stairs. Otherwise you are going to have to wait in line; then go down stairs to get into the restaurant from the 7th floor (aft).

4. Going to the Stardust Theatre at 7:30 or 9:30 for shows; if you can not navigate stair go to the 7th floor (forward) and you will be at wheelchair accesible chairs (either on the left or right). Otherwise you will have to use stairs that do not have handrails! You can enter the theatre from the 6th floor but you will have to use the stairs for seating.

5. To get to the "Bon-Voyage" party on the day you're leaving. Go to deck 11 (aft). They say the parties on deck 12 but unless you go through the spa and down the stairs, you can't get directly to it and you'll be walking a lot! Deck 11 is the easiest way to go!

6. One side of the buffet will serve breakfast; while the other side is preparing for lunch. The same thing is not always on both sides.

7. When ordering a soda (if you don't have a soda card), always ask for the can, to accompany your drink. You get more for your money that way.

8. If you enjoy quiet times or playing cards or games; deck 12 (forward) has the best card rooms on the (starboard side); library; and, quiet sitting areas for those cold sea days! And, much more comfortable chairs and couches than can be found in the lounges! You will have to bring your munchies/drinks with you, since there is none up there.

Stop by the blue lagoon (7th floor-aft-starboard) for cookies; cakes; fruit (all, in a "help yourself" fashion)! The chocolate chip cookies and banana bread are to die for! And, take them with you to the 12 deck for a game of dominoes or cards!

9. We fell in love with the Versailles Dining Room and made a reservation; with the matre'd to eat; at a table for two; by a window; every night; same time for dinner. I know that this "blows" the "freestyle" concept. But, it was always a pleasure to know where dinner was and when!

We experimented more with breakfast and lunch!

I'll write more later........

[whatawonderfulworld]

You, and folks like you, are the reason I love coming to the CC boards. Yes...sometimes I get a little testy too (especially if I spend too much time reading some of the unreasonable complaints posted here - bleech! :eek: ) However the reason I continue to return is the sharing of information that folks do. It's that cyber offering of assistance, unasked, that I love. It's akin to holding the door as you enter a building whether or not someone is coming in behind you! We do it "just in case" it's needed.

 

May you and yours have a lovely Thanksgiving!

 

Ciao,

 

W A W W

 

p.s. While I was on the Dawn, our banana bread at the Blue Lagoon was wonderful too...as was the butter poundcake. Hit the spot in midafternoon with a nice cup of hot tea!

[steve1era]

Thanks wiz;

 

Nice tips most of which I had not heard about on the boards. Will be helpful for getting aroung the ship.

[JoeCanadian]

Whatawonderfulpost, whatawonderfulworld!!

 

Thanks for that... it was nice to read, amongst all the complaining!

 

Wizard... thanks for your post.:)

[Toyz711]

actually, the doors on the port side are red :D dark red, but red

 

the carpet is plain blue mid-ship and patterned forward / stern

 

blue lagoon has nice sit-down service, but the drinks/cookies and pound cakes are serve yourself.

 

everyplace is wheelchair friendly, if you don't use it all the time..they will happily move it out of the way for you.

 

during glacier viewing ...the spinnaker lounge is non-smoking.

 

the beds are just high enough to store most luggage under.

 

snacks in the casino after 9pm most nights

 

lovely ship

[kimdave68]

Don't forget the green position on the wheel: TURN DOWN CABIN.

 

Could not find the orange though. (TOWEL ANIMAL PLEASE)

 

:D

[7SeasLover]

One of the best things I enjoy is asking for a set table at a set time for the duration of the cruise. We had a great table for two in a corner by a window at 6 p.m. It was great. We did it because we thought the waitress was great!

[mbisson]

Hi Roz!

 

Welcome home! I can't wait to hear how you enjoyed the cruise. I'm waiting for the juicy details. But take as much time as you need to get er done & have a happy Thanksgiving.

 

I like blue lagoon on NCL as well, but I just love the Fish-n-Chips!

 

Speaking of food, do you know if the menus on the Star were the new one as recently debuted on the Dawn and Spirit? I'm just trying to keep track of where they have shown up thus far.

 

-Monte

[shoreless]

1. Port side of the Star has brown doors - Starboard side has blue doors.

So, when you get off the elevator look to the left or the right;

remember, which color you are and, you'll never walk backwards again!

 

That's a great hint. I never noticed the colors, and I was always lost -- I'm VERY directionally challenged. It seemed like every time I tried to find my cabin I'd run into my room steward in the hallway, and I'd always be going in the wrong direction. It provided him with a lot of amusement during the cruise.:D

[MEOWSMURPHY]

Those are GREAT tips..we will be on the SUN in Feb..Does anyone know if these tips hold true for that ship also?? I am also "directionally" challenged and the door colors would be a BIG help...one other question...does the Sun also have a Fish and Chips spot??T Thanks,,,Em

[sea-u-later]

We will also be on the Sun this February 18th to 25th looking so forward to the warmth again. New England winters are tooo long

[mbisson]

does the Sun also have a Fish and Chips spot??T Thanks,,,Em

 

They have them in the sports bar. We went in late one night & had them but IMO they don't compare well at all to those on ships that have a Blue Lagoon

 

-Monte

[MEOWSMURPHY]

We will also be on the Sun this February 18th to 25th looking so forward to the warmth again. New England winters are tooo long

 

Boy how well I know that, having been born and raised in New Bedford...even tho we now live in the "flat lands of America"..winters can be iffy here...we are also looking forward to the "mid winter" get away...

 

Monte...thanks for the info...we were on Princess last year and their Fish and Chips were great...we'll try them but have a feeling they won't compare..

[wizard-of-roz]

Toyz711: The doors are so dark red (you are right), they actually look brown! For older folks, like me, they're a truly dark, dark red almost brown! Thank you for that correction.

Monte: The dinners in Versailles were : Rack of Lamb; Veal; Steak- that was so huge, neither one of us could finish our meals; Pork Chops; Lobster; monk fish; halibut; salmon and lots of pasta dishes. Appetizers were varied and delicious, along with different cold and hot soups; desserts were also varied (they had an apple tart, with marzipan, that was to die for), ice cream; sherberts; souffle's; chocolate delights and so much more.

 

We never had a complaint about the food; the taste; the quantity or the service. I always enjoyed and looked forward to our evening dining experience!

Versailles is beautifully appointed and really feels like "that grand ship experience"!

If you don't see it on the menu - just ask for it and they will bend over backwards to get if for you!

 

One evening; my husband did not see anything he wanted, on the menu. He simply asked for a breast of chicken/baked potato and some vegetables. He got what he wanted and he said it was perfect!

I've heard some good and bad about the food in the main dining rooms. My husband is a fussy eater and he always found something in Versailles to tantalize him! ;)

I'll put it this way; we never went to bed hungry or unsatisfied.

We spent some lazy days sitting in the main lobby listening to the 4 piece ensemble that played on the stair rail, above the bar. They were wonderful! You can leisurally sit; enjoy a drink and be wooed back to the days of really mellow/sweet music. :p

The gift shop will bring out jewelry/tee-shirts, etc (park themselves in the lobby) and, crowds will start forming and noiselly shop near-by. But, it's not every day and certainly not every hour!

There are automatic doors, off of the main lobby that open on deck 7 (starboard). It's such a pleasure not to have to fight to open the doors to the outside! They may also be on the port side deck 7 (mid ship). We tended to always use the starboard side, so I'm not sure!

One thing I must mention about the Star.....the cruise director will make announcements over the PA during the dinner hour. I HATE THIS! It's extremely disruptive and annoying! Actually, this ship does a lot of this. :(

On Celebrity they have done away with using their PA system (except, of course on embarkation day and for emergencies), they rely on guests using their daily paper for the information they may need. Or just go to the purser's desk and get the info. :o

The buffet area is; to put it mildly (awful)! The area is more like a cafeteria; not at all pleasant to sit in. In 8 days we could only get a window seat 2 times. The lay out is bad; the room is sad and the desserts are shameful. The main courses were okay but just okay! They frequently ran out of water glasses; the water/ice machines are difficult to maneuver. The chairs and tables are right out of "Hometown Buffet"! This area was a huge disappointment to us! Whatever they use to clean the tables/floors has such an offense odor that you can not eat while they're using it!

I love to sleep in, on some days; go to the buffet for brunch and have a leisurely time eating and (watching the sea go by)! Forget it! The seats are lined up so that if you don't get a window seat; you don't get a good view! There are no tables for private seating! There are no areas that you can just relax and enjoy a cup of coffee with your partner! The seating is such that you feel like; ("you're in the army now")!

The humburgers/hot dogs (out by the pool) were amazingly delicious! My husband found himself taking the trek out to the pool just for them!

There's also ice cream. All different flavors and cones by the pool!

Again, I'm the type of person that really turns that lemon thing into that drinking stuff!

So, in that regard.....I'm on a cruise!....I'm not making a bed/ dusting a shelf or cooking a meal!.....I'm going to make the best of every situation and enjoy myself! After all, I spent a lot of money and I'm going to get my monies worth!

I loved the shows; especially Andrew Lloyd Weber's Phantom. I think that the singers and dancers worked their hearts out for us! I heard some comments to the contrary...and, I don't get it!

I've seen broadway shows, and, original casts; this group of entertainers did a wonderful job and I loved every moment of it! They sung their hearts out; they sweated their shirts off and I so enjoyed them!

The second city group did a great job too! I liked their routines!

There was juggling; acrobats; and other stuff that was okay. If I didn't like it, I simply considered the source and enjoyed the time that I wasn't working or stressing about bills; work; kids, etc., etc.!

[familyplanner]

We are leaving on the star in two weeks! Your tips were very helpful.:)

[Terre]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. We'll be on the Star in May and all these tips are very helpful -- especially the "do not disburb", etc. signs. I've noticed from other cruises that each side is a different color which certainly helps me!

 

:D:D

[flowerchild]

Bring conditioner and a power strip...shampoo and liquid soap only in the shower...only one outlet per cabin, too...

 

If you are picky about hair dryers, the blow dryer does not get very hot, you may want to bring your own...

[mbisson]

Roz, thanks for the details! Now that your cruise is over, don't make yourself a stranger on the board. Time to make plans for the next cruise and partake in the discussions.

 

-Monte