Wonderful Time

Norwegian Star Cruise Review to Mexico

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 86

Overall rating:

4 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Star

8 Night Mexican Riviera (Los Angeles Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 29, 2007

Ship: Norwegian Star

Cabin type: Oceanview

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 14 years ago

Review summary

This was my 8th cruise on NCL. The Star is beautiful and the staff keeps it clean and tidy as is common with NCL. As always the multinational staff went out of their way to accommodate any request. They never forget that you are on vacation and want to be pampered. I was disappointed in the food in the main two restaurants. There are several specialty restaurants that require reservations, some of which require a cover charge and some not. Any of the five that I frequented were outstanding. Room service is punctual and efficient, allowing you the luxury of a sleep in on the days you need to be early for an excursion or port exploration. Already thinking about cruise #9.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5
The entertainment on the Star was far superior to a few of the other NCL cruises that I have taken. The Jean Ann Ryan company gets a little tiresome by the 6th night. But in this case the brought aboard the Mexican Folk dancers [who had won top honors twice in a row], an illusionist/slight of hand and a very, very funny comedian to add variety to the shows. Excellent - all.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
Immediately on boarding they announce that you should take note of your colors. Blue is port and red doors starbord. Blue stairwell is fore, red midship and green aft. AND, that to reach the Versallis dining room, you may only do so from the aft stairwell on deck 7. This was quite a convenience in avoiding being lost. A note may be made of the staff and crew going out of their way to assist the handicap. When any announcement was made for the general public, an additonal announcement was made for those in wheelchairs or on crutches so that they could easily and quickly be accommoded to the mainstream.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
I believe the ship is 5 or 6 years old and the stateroom showed little wear and tear. With the exception of the annoyance of the noise of the tenders being raised and lowered, it was quite a peaceful room. Small, but well organized and I did have a queen bed.

Ports of call

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

3 out of 5
This is a tough portl. If you are not taking a tour, it is difficult to even get off the dock. Diamond's International has a guard stationed outside the shopping district with a stool to assist individuals over a chain link fence. It is at least a 20 minute walk around the fencing and through security to get to "investigate" the port. I should have stayed on the ship.

Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Mexico

5 out of 5
This port is clearly a don't miss. You have the option of going to Ixtapa which is billed as a tourist resort. Zihuatanejo is a small town that is well worth visiting. We visited a coconut factory, a tile factory and a small fishing village just outside. You get to see the real Mexico and rural communities as they live their lives.
Don't Miss: The fishing village is a don't miss. Take the tour.

Acapulco, Mexico

3 out of 5
It reminded me of Rio. Large port city.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

5 out of 5
Cabo San Lucas is clean and resembles southern California with its missions and rough coasstline. The people are friendly and exceptionally welcoming.
Don't Miss: Don't miss the sister city of Cabo San Jose!

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

3 out of 5
This is a tough portl. If you are not taking a tour, it is difficult to even get off the dock. Diamond's International has a guard stationed outside the shopping district with a stool to assist individuals over a chain link fence. It is at least a 20 minute walk around the fencing and through security to get to "investigate" the port. I should have stayed on the ship.

Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Mexico

5 out of 5
This port is clearly a don't miss. You have the option of going to Ixtapa which is billed as a tourist resort. Zihuatanejo is a small town that is well worth visiting. We visited a coconut factory, a tile factory and a small fishing village just outside. You get to see the real Mexico and rural communities as they live their lives.
Don't Miss: The fishing village is a don't miss. Take the tour.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

5 out of 5
Cabo San Lucas is clean and resembles southern California with its missions and rough coasstline. The people are friendly and exceptionally welcoming.
Don't Miss: Don't miss the sister city of Cabo San Jose!

Acapulco, Mexico

3 out of 5
It reminded me of Rio. Large port city.

Pros: The Mexican Rivera

Cons: Food in the common restaurants

Recommends Norwegian Star? Yes!

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