Awesome entertainment, average seething accommodations, decent food, great staff!

Item: Norwegian Star
Rating: 4
Author: Cruiser16165953

Norwegian Star Cruise Review to Other (Asia/Africa/Middle East)

Cruiser16165953

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 21

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

20 Night The Gulf & Eastern Mediterranean (Dubai To Venice)

Sail date: March 27, 2017

Ship: Norwegian Star

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 8069

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

The entertainment far exceeded my expectations! There were some real class acts and top notch entertainment acts, knowledgeable lecturers, varied decent musicians, especially since ship is dated and could use some updating. The majority of staff were phenomenal, courteous, kind, happy, energetic, and always willing to go the extra mile. Accommadations while sufficient, lacked luxury and refinement, overal decor felt very dated.--borderline tacky. The food was hit and miss. Fortunately there were a variety of dining options; some inclusive of stay and others at a premium upcharge.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Hit and miss. Stir fry station worked! Rest of Asian not so good--even the upcharge options. Steakhouse was great--upcharge

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Children's Programs

No idea

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Very clean, just very dated.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Convenient location. Clean and accommodating just dated decor. Kelly green carpet with nautical anchor motif, beige walls, glossy burnt orange woodwork...get the picture.

Ship tip

PROS: Great staff, knowledgeable and experienced crew. awesome entertainment, safe, clean, price value. CONS: Be prepared for additional upcharges.. Better dinning options at an upcharge, cheap quality alcoholic drinks at a premium pice, really bad upcharg internet--I'm talking worse than dial-up!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

5 out of 5

5 out of 5

5 out of 5

3 out of 5

Locals taxis take advantage of tourists, especially port side. Heard some horror stories crom other cruise members. Fortunate my street smarts prevailed and i had to verbally/forcefully negotiate costs

Thumbs Up 1

Aqaba (Petra), Jordan

5 out of 5

Safaga (Luxor), Egypt

5 out of 5

Security issues were interesting and uncomfortable at times. Only excursion where we had fully time security agent on board tours. .

Thumbs Up 2

Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

5 out of 5

Don't let taxi service Robb you here. Walk or negotiate as proximity of center town is very close by.

Thumbs Up 1

Suez Canal Transit

5 out of 5

Hired security (ex US Navy Seals joined cruise 4 days prior while cruising through Gulf of Aden) exited ship along with accommodating artillery left ship just prior to Suez Canal transit.

Thumbs Up 1

Haifa, Israel

5 out of 5

Iraklion (Heraklion), Crete

5 out of 5

Dubrovnik, Croatia

5 out of 5

Wow, a very welcoming European appeal, character and attitude. Much appreciated after middle east experiences.

Thumbs Up 3

Venice, Italy

5 out of 5

It'sVenice... need i say more. A city like no other.