Alaskian Cruise for the Family

Norwegian Star Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Reviews: 0
Helpful Votes: 10

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Star

7 Night Alaska & Sawyer Glacier (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 08, 2009

Ship: Norwegian Star

Cabin type: Oceanview

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 15 years ago

Review summary

We recently sailed on the Norwegian Star for the first time, and it was an experience we enjoyed. The Star's Marketplace buffet was a great food court with many more choices than we ever though with stations you can approach from all sides (breakfast was our favorite here). Very wide-open and airy feeling, a huge step up from the typical ship buffet. We loved the sit down restaurants as well. Great food selections and delicious choices. Loved the ability to choose to sit down or go through line. Did not try to the "surcharge" restaurants because we had a family and the cost was a turn off. We wanted to save our money for the excursions. We river rafted near the Mendenhall Glacier. Beautiful. We wanted to zip-line in skagway but the information on the excursions was difficult to find and navigate through. The cost of the excursions was high for a family and we really feel like we missed out on alot without the excursions. The ports of call were great but without the excursions the ports of call turned into shopping at the same stores, same merchandise at each port. This was not fun for our kids. Going on the excursions brought the area to life and excited the kids about Alaska's sites & natural beauty.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
Loved the food. Loved the food.

Entertainment

3 out of 5
Geared more toward adults even though we had 800 children aboard the ship for the Alaskian cruise.

Children's Programs

3 out of 5
Nothing except video games for teenagers. Where are the exciting excursions for the teens to experience and challenge themselves.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Most servers and attendants were cheerful and very pleasant.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
Although more activities for families should have been planned - the condition of the ship was spick-n-span clean.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
Difficult for a family of four.

Ports of call

Skagway, Alaska

3 out of 5
Could not find the Zip line excursions on ship and they were completely sold out in town. Very Frustrating. Ended up taking a tour which bored the kids - badly organized.

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5
Beautiful visit to the past of fishing villages and green wilderness.

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5
Not enough time to see everything that is available to do here. Great Port.
Don't Miss: River Rafting - great scenery, some excitment, great family event

Prince Rupert, British Columbia

1 out of 5
Boring. Kids were bored and we wondered around town. If you are not shopping what are you to do ?

Pros: Selection of food, ports of call,

Cons: cost of excursions, lack of family entertainment

Recommends Norwegian Star? Yes!

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