Mediocre experience on NCL for neophyte cruisers

Norwegian Star Cruise Review to Europe - Eastern Mediterranean

tlarocca2

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 49

Overall rating:

2.9 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Adriatic & Greece (Venice To Rome)

Sail date: October 29, 2017

Ship: Norwegian Star

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9108

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

The internet is horrible, you waste at least half your time waiting for stuff to refresh and NCL could not care less- in fact it's to their benefit as you end up having to purchase more time. And the Optional restaurants are just ok, we never had a great meal and these Optional restaurants are in addition to the meal plan we purchased. I would never cruise NCL again-- it was a 2.5 star experience at best. many people on board said the same thing and they are cruise savvy-- they say try RC. And their Medical facilities/personel are not US certified Doctors. Probably common on cruises, but our treatment for my wife was less then adequate

Embarkation

3 out of 5

It was painless and quick, but no room upgrades were available at check in

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Buffet was just ok, nothing special, food was decent

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

We cruised in the Fall when the weather was in the 60's, so no pool for us and was unaware of any rock climbing and the fitness center was less then exciting

Entertainment

We did not attend any shows

Children's Programs

our kids did not cruise with us

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

The bartenders were great and very nice, this was the best part of the experience-- they really made the bar area fun

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

ship was clean, design was fine, and we saw no issues

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Small, few electrical outlets. We have 2 iPads, phones and watches, so you need more outlets then the cabin has-- this can't ben news to NCL-- this was an old school ship

Ship tip

Choose RC and cruise on them

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Venice, Italy

3 out of 5

Venice was great and the best time we had, but that was before we boarded the ship, we got to Venice a day early to enjoy it

Thumbs Up 3

Dubrovnik, Croatia

3 out of 5

This is a great town, but our tour took us to the Old Town area too late in the day, it should have been the first place, it's the most interesting and where GOT was filmed

Thumbs Up 0

Piraeus (Athens), Greece

3 out of 5

Another great port, great ruins

Thumbs Up 0

Santorini, Greece

2 out of 5

Excellent port, very interesting and very clean and very iconic

Thumbs Up 0

Katakolon (Olympia), Greece

1 out of 5

this was a complete waste of time-- these ruins are basically worthless

Thumbs Up 1

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

3 out of 5

We love Rome, but have been there many times

Thumbs Up 3

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

easy and quick and the first off

9 Comments

wyorich 7 years ago

Yea...cruises are about getting away...forget the internet, drink plenty, the gym is basic for a reason. I have done 20+ cruises, the focus is on relaxing and getting away

Thumbs Up 2

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clarissap 7 years ago

The internet is slow on all cruise ships. It is not just NCL ships. Letting minor inconveniences ruin your vacation is sad. Just enjoy.

Thumbs Up 3

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CJM1966 7 years ago

Like it was stated earlier bring a power strip

Thumbs Up 1

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rookmate 7 years ago

Just take a power strip with you, problem solved.

Thumbs Up 1

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Shay1920 7 years ago

Cruisetofun, you have the right attitude. I can tell that you are going to enjoy your first cruise

Thumbs Up 2

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cruisetofun 7 years ago

I'm on my first cruise in Dec. Why would you even book a room hoping for an upgrade. Personally, I would book what I want the first time. If no upgrade, it wouldn't matter, I'd have what I want. As for internet? Unless you're running a Business, why even bother?, Disconnect and enjoy the cruise. You're on vacation.

Thumbs Up 6

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Cruisewigs 7 years ago

It’s common sense to take a small extension lead for all of our electrical gadgets. Don’t know of any ships that have an excessive amount! I wouldn’t bother with internet on board -far to expensive. Find a cafe/bar on shore and get it for free!

Thumbs Up 6

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alleycat51699 7 years ago

put down your Internet box and enjoy the cruise

Thumbs Up 9

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Shay1920 7 years ago

Unfortunately room upgrades are never a guarantee. If the ship is full they won't be able to offer an upgrade, and when they do it's normally based on your rank in their loyalty program. Satellite service at sea is never going to be like internet service on land. Two electrical outlets is pretty standard for most cruiselines (unless you're in a suite), which is why I always bring a power strip.

Thumbs Up 10

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