Norwegian Star suite and super ports in Greek Isles areas. Spend a couple of days in Venice before or after cruise. Avoid cabins above Spinnaker Lounge on Deck 8 - very noisy at night.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Excellent. On board about 11am. Quick processing. As platinum member they have a separate area to wait (with drinks and snacks). Others also got on board by 11:15am.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Wonderful specialty dining although sometimes service took longer than expected (1.5 - 2.0 hours) Food was very good (and too much of it). We did not use Buffet, but tables were jammed together as in a mess hall. Main Dining Rooms were nice.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Did not use too much. Port intensive cruise. Deck chairs can get very busy and limited shade areas.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Shows were good for small ship. No reservations. Just show up 10-15 minutes prior and you will get a decent seat. Music, as usual, a bit too loud and only so-so. Poker table did not have many players.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Most were excellent. Our suite steward was fairly new - I thought strange as it was a suite. She did only a so- so job. Often she did not get to room until about 10-11 am, although with many ports, not so important. Waiters and bar people were great. John John in Cagneys as wine/bar man was wonderful - always a big smile.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
I like the mid sized ship. Very clean. Elevators had hardly any waits. Buffet eating tables are a bit crowded together - seems like all in one long room.
Cabin / Stateroom
2 out of 5
Cabin 8172 - an aft suite was very nice. But only 2 stars as the music from Spinnaker Lounge at night was very loud and went on until about midnight (or later). Do NOT get this cabin or the ones next to it unless you do not go to bed until after midnight. Otherwise excellent cabin. Says large balcony, but not that big (2 chairs, a lounger, 1 table - but had to position them front to back as balcony not deep enough otherwise. ) I did like they have a decent table and chairs to eat room service, if you use it.
Ship tip
If you get Concierge service from suites or status, use it to get off at ports and end of cruise. Very fast and well run.
Did on own. There is baggage check right at end of People Mover (plaza Roma bus area) if you want to do Venice for a day before/after cruise. Opens at 7am. Disembarkation in Venice was a breeze - no passport or bag check for most. If you get to Doge's Palace (a Must Do) by 8:30am, you will have hardly any line and no crowds. Tickets sold from front of line. Allow at least 1 hour, but probably needs at least 50% more time to really enjoy. Burano (lace island is wonderful), but allow 35 minutes by vaporetto to get there (and also to get back).
Get off ASAP and get in line for cable car - or else take boat to New port and use buses. The cable car line is very disorganized (line cutters) and took us about 45 minutes or longer. Similar problem on coming back - but only 30 minute line for us. You get in line and get tickets just before you get on cable car - not a separate line. Donkeys on the 400+ stairs can be messy if you decide to walk. Other than cable car and crowds, the port is a solid 5 star. Get private tour in advance if you can as big buses cannot go into small areas.
Not much time here and we have been before, so we stayed in port area. Port is about 2 miles from the walled city. There is a great cafe on the road just beyond where you dock for drinks, snacks, clean restroom and fast WiFi. The Bristro will be changing its name to sometime like Bristro 49 - and has a reddish awning. And right across from the local bus stop. You can see it once you exit the port walking exit.
Super fast and easy. Walk to People Mover is about 300 yards - although flat - and takes you to the Roma bus area and vaporetto stops. Get a day ticket and explore if you have 8+ hours.
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