Pretty good time on the Star - good value

Norwegian Star Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 6

Overall rating:

4 out of 5
Norwegian Star

7 Night Western Caribbean (Tampa Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 15, 2015

Ship: Norwegian Star

Cabin type: Balcony

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

We were a group of nine in four rooms.  Overall we had a very good time.  Our housekeeper was very nice, efficient, and we found the crew to be extremely helpful throughout the boat.  The Star is smaller than some ships so it helps if you enjoy cruising for the view off your balcony, plentiful and decent food, and lounging near the pool.  The entertainment far exceeded our expectations, with great dance routines, a phenomenal acrobatic pair, decent musicians, and a first rate comic.  We enjoyed the snorkeling shore excursions; would've enjoyed more time in Roatan.  The restaurants were all better than average. 

A few drawbacks:  the pool is very small and does not accommodate actual swimming; the bartenders are slowed down by NCL's obsession with paper receipts which take too much time to process; the waiters in some bars (O'Sheehan's) cannot get drinks fast enough from bar staff and end up waiting in lines doing nothing.  If you need the Internet it is very expensive and difficult to get on and off of.  The casino is so close to the restaurants that smoke invades eating spaces.  These were all minor irritants compared to the overall cruise which was a success.  On the whole I would recommend this cruise.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
The cabin was fine. Just barely big enough and the balcony really made it worthwhile.

Ship tip

If you have the UBP, go to the Mojito bar (called Sugarcane) and abuse your free drink privileges.

Ports of call

Tampa, Florida

3 out of 5

Coxen Hole, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

5 out of 5

Belize City, Belize

3 out of 5

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

3 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5
Was this review helpful? 6

17 Comments

misstipsy    9 years ago

I believe you do have to pay gratuities with the cruise line, at least I always have...you can pay them upfront, and then you can give extra if you feel someone deserves it.

misstipsy    9 years ago

Thanks lochness1961, it's actually my cat's name 😃

rfballard    9 years ago

Were you able to pay gratuities yourself as you ho or do you have to pay with final bill? We were told by previous cruisers they were able to pay their steward, waitress, etc themselves and the gratuity was taken off their final bill.

lochness1961    9 years ago

btw...i love your moniker, MissTipsy.

misstipsy    9 years ago

I was thinking of doing the ruins in Belize

lockmartin130    9 years ago

cozmel is the only one out of the 4 we have been too as well doing the ruins in the other mexico stop and then tubing in belize have not picked anything in Honduras yet

misstipsy    9 years ago

I have been on ncl twice before and both times were awesome. The only port I have been to is Cozemel, looking forward to seeing 3 new places. Let me know what you do in each port and how it was, still undecided about we will be doing.

lockmartin130    9 years ago

yes it will be our first time on ncl and i was beginning to think it was a mistake but we can't wait get to go to 3 ports we have not been too will be in 9077 for dec 6 looking forward to cave tubing in Belize

misstipsy    9 years ago

I too was glad to have a good review, seems some people only post reviews when the are negative.

rfballard    9 years ago

there will be 10 of us on the Dec 6th (8 of us first timers) and happy to see a good review because it seems we see a lot of negatives so we have been very nervous ! We are all still excited though and can't wait !

lockmartin130    9 years ago

we will be on Dec 6

lochness1961    9 years ago

where was your cabin? we're booked in 8522

misstipsy    9 years ago

oops, didn't read the name.

lochness1961    9 years ago

not yet... but will leave my review when me and my lady return on the 6th

misstipsy    9 years ago

Leaving? Weren't you just on it recently.

lochness1961    9 years ago

thank you. we're leaving on the 29th.

misstipsy    9 years ago

I will be on the ship in February, thanks for the positive review.

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