Panama Canal Cruise

Norwegian Star Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 49

Overall rating:

4.3 out of 5
Norwegian Star

14 Night Panama Canal Westbound (Miami To Los Angeles)

Sail date: January 19, 2018

Ship: Norwegian Star

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 11500 mini suite

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Had s good cruise but the 6 sea days did get s little long. Would do it again knowledge what we do now. Ship could use a refurbishment but I heard it is to happen this May. Still a lovely ship overall.

Embarkation

5 out of 5
Organized and efficient. My husband uses a cane so we were boarded early.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5
Main dining room Versailles had a good wait staff and we were seated promptly at 5:00 pm and was finished by 7:00 when we went to the theater for the early show. I thought they could have had better choices but the food was ok. Buffet was varied and fresh as we eat early, table attendants were always present. Did not use the specialty restaurants. Both the main dining rooms had the same menu, I thought this could give us better options.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5
There were many activities to keep you occupied if you chose to be.

Entertainment

5 out of 5
There were only two shoes that weren’t up to par but the other 12 were very good. The Magician was amazing!!! The Comic had us in tears of laughter with clean jokes Juggler/comic very entertaining.

Children's Programs

No children with us

Service and Staff

4 out of 5
All friendly and helpful except for one man that took care of the pool area, unfriendly. Our room steward, Roberto was very good.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5
We really like the smaller ship. The ship was well maintained in most areas, a couple of the public restrooms needed more attention but overall a well maintained ship. The seating in the theater had no leg room and I am only 5’3”.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Cabin was very comfortable for the two of us and very quiet as we had only the Bridge on one side of us and never heard a peep out of them and no traffic past our door as we were the first cabin on that deck. Lots of storage and a comfortable couch and a coffee pot (important to me). Bathroom had lots of hot water and a tub/shower combo with glass doors and fluffy large towels.

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

3 out of 5
Red Roof Plus is definitely not plus in any area except the good soundproofing of the rooms as we were at the end of the runway and had no trouble sleeping. Front desk staff told us there were no restaurants in the area but there is a nice restaurant in s new hotel two doors down.

Cartagena, Colombia

5 out of 5
Beautiful clean old walled city. We hired a van for the 4 if us through Lee Miles and were able to drive into the city snd not walk do much. Had a wonderfully informative guide.

Panama Canal Transit

5 out of 5
As expected, very interesting narrative as we passed through the locks.

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

5 out of 5
Did a private tour to The Adventure Park for a zip line across 11 waterfalls. Tour tour total of 7 hours with a stop off the zip line for a swim and lunch afterwards. I highly recommend this

Puerto Corinto, Nicaragua

4 out of 5
Took NCL Mud Pots and Colonial Leon. Mud pots were not much but if you had never seen one it would be interesting. Leon was beautiful and up in the mountains with fresh cool air.

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

5 out of 5
Took the NCL tour to Antigua with a guide. It had it all, smoking volcanoes on the drive up to a cool (take a sweater) beautiful city with colorful street vendors. Btw, we had no problem with beggars or vendors in any port, they respected a polite “No thank you” as long as you didn’t stop to look at their goods. The Jade factory was surprisingly interesting. Don’t miss the talk by the owner.

Acapulco, Mexico

4 out of 5
Took NCL Bay and cliff diver tour by boat. Great vantage place to see the divers and four of them swam out to our boat for pictures with us. Open bar and Mexican lunch provided.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

3 out of 5
NCL Baja Highlights tour. Glass blowing factory, photo stop with refreshments st a beautiful spot overlooking the bay with the ship below and shopping in an old town in the art district. Was expecting more of the countryside terrain but an ok tour.

Disembarkation

4 out of 5
Disembarking was efficient but be advised you can self assist and disembark early. That lapse in info ended up costing me several hundred dollars in unnecessarily changing flights.
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