Good, not great

Norwegian Star Cruise Review to Mexico

KristineZ

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Reviews: 0

Helpful Votes: 2

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

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Sail date: April 02, 2011

Ship: Norwegian Star

Cabin type: Balcony

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 13 years ago

Review summary

Overall it was a nice ship, crew, and vacation. There were several little things that detracted from the overall trip. The joke onboard became Freestyle Cruising for the retentive. Lots of rules, some of which were inconsistent with published information on the ship. Reservations for dinner are offered in the daily newsletter, but not allowed when you actually request them - unless its a pay restaurant. My son was kicked out of the fitness center despite the sign on the wall stating he was old enough to be there. They don't include Roy Rogers/Shirley Temple in the soda program plus its a few dollars more per day than other ships. No coffee at the coffee bar until they open at 7, despite having coffee made at 630 and a line of people wanting to pay for simple drip coffee and an employee standing there looking desperately at the manager to be given permission to serve the coffee, only to be glared at. Liquor purchases must be picked up on the last night, no delivery. The timing of this makes it impossible to have dinner in the dining room and attend the final night show - you have to pick one or the other.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Food was good in dining rooms, excellent in specialty restaurants. Freestyle dining turns out to be not so freestyle if you want to eat in the dining room. They allowed reservations the first day, thereafter it was first come first serve -which meant long lines and waits, unless you dined very late.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Shows were entertaining and there was a good variety.

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Didn't have the variety of activities as we've seen on other lines. Also many of the teen activities were cancelled because of the Final Four. Many of the kids weren't interested, but I guess the counselors were.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Staff was friendly, were bound by management rules - were much better when no managers were around. They clearly want to be more accomodating than they're allowed.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Ship is not as well marked as other lines, but is reasonably easy to find your way around. We didn't get a map until a few days in so that would have made life easier.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Bathrooms are larger than most, balcony a bit small, room was nice, TV was a tiny ancient thing althoug you're not there to watch TV. No pens or paper which was odd. Soap & shampoo are in large dispensers, no conditioner or lotion is provided. Mini-fridge is pretty full of pay items, not much room for personal items.

Ports of call

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

3 out of 5

Very agressive vendors, but all took declines very politely. The boat ride to the beach is best purchased on shore.

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: Lover's beach

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

5 out of 5

Wish we would have had two days here, rather than Cabo. We were fortunate to have friends in town who took us to eat and to their resort. The Malacan (sp) was a delight.

Thumbs Up 0

Recommends Norwegian Star? No.

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