Floating Nightmare

Norwegian Star Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

BethB76404172

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 8

Overall rating:

1 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Alaska & Sawyer Glacier (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 14, 2007

Ship: Norwegian Star

Cabin type: Inside

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 17 years ago

Review summary

Months ago, my family decided to celebrate many momentous occasions by booking an NCL cruise to Alaska. Please note, as a family of five, we booked two cabins and paid adult fair for two children. We counted the days, eagerly awaiting our dream vacation. Never did we anticipate finding ourselves in a situation filled with despair. Landing a dark inner cabin, our travel agent warned, promised peacefulness so deep that we may sleep daylight away. Quite the contrary, our cabin nights greeted us with loud active sounds of rushing water, motors running, clanging, grinding, and banging. Long nights led to tearful mornings and days filled with extreme tension and exhaustion. All promises of excitement, relaxation, and rest faded away as we described our situation to cruise ship staff members, security, and supervisors. For three days, my family felt trapped aboard a floating nightmare and when we tried to seek help, it seemed no one would listen.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

We often found that the food items arrived much differently than described on menus.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

The comic shows were fun, but often repetitive.

Children's Programs

1 out of 5

There was no excitement involved. The children were never encouraged to participate. The children's activities were never included on ship announcements or daily listings.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

On day four, we were moved to new outside cabins. Despite the strain, stress, and loss of time involved with moving, we were deeply grateful. Never did any of us anticipate that the new cabins would be located next to the floor air conditioning unit. A loose belt on the unit, according to ship engineering staff, caused sounds and vibrations that, once again, interrupted our sleep. My family collected a fourth night of sleeplessness. We appreciated the quick repair to the unit. Yet, motor vibrations without sound, still disturbed our SLEEP DEPRIVED family for all remaining nights.

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

Please see above comments.

Ports of call

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5

We saw totem poles and took a city tour. The lumberjack show was entertaining. Everyone had fun shopping.

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: totem poles

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5

The shops were exactly the same as in Ketchikan. The Glacier is a must see. You can travel to the glacier and back for $12 per person with local tour buses.

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: glacier

Prince Rupert, British Columbia

1 out of 5

This stop was a waste of time, with nothing to see or do. We walked around the town, but most shops were closed. Locals seemed nice. There were a lot of beautiful, friendly dogs strolling around. There is no leash law.

Thumbs Up 0

Skagway, Alaska

3 out of 5

The area is beautiful. We went to a dog sled camp. It was a bit of a tourist trap, but interesting. The shops were exactly the same as in Ketchikan and Juneau.

Thumbs Up 0

Pros: Entertainment

Cons: Accomodations

Recommends Norwegian Star? No.

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