Crushed Travel Dreams: NCL where the bottom line matters more than the passengers do

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

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 5

Overall rating:

3.3 out of 5
Norwegian Star

14 Night Antarctica & South America (Buenos Aires Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 04, 2024

Ship: Norwegian Star

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 4001

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 months ago

Review summary

If I could award ZERO stars to NCL as a company I would do so. We cruised from Feb 4-18 on Norwegian Star on what was sold to us 2 YEARS AGO as Bucket List Antarctica and South America. Whilst the ship itself was fine (cabins, food, activities) and the staff/crew excellent in most instances (junior not senior) ...the company itself gives absolutely no care or concern to its passengers and only to its bottom line. Nothing to do with the annoying sales pitches on board (Ugghhh) but all to do with what I and hundreds of others aboard consider to be a classic bait and switch tactic. Promise a lot and then switch it up at the last minute when it's too late for cancel/refund and deliver far less than what was promised and paid for. NCL's underhanded method of saving money (fuel costs) by cutting the itinerary to remove the day cruising in mainland Antarctica - which was the SOLE reason most of us paid BIG $ for this cruise - and then treating us all like complete idiots who wouldnt notice the switcheroo....sorry NCLbut we are not that stupid and refuse to accept your mean spirited and cheap methods just lying down. Hundreds of disgruntled and angry passengers and not just on board our ship or our cruise it seems. A global issue that NCL are treating their customers with disdain, contempt and disrespect. Even if they possibly have a watertight contract on their side, their morality and ethics are lacking entirely and they spent the cruise being shady and dishonest, and since the cruise being dismissive and lacking in any compassion. I would NEVER cruise NCL again (and we love cruising) and would recommend that no one books with NCL. Spend your cruising dollars with an above board company that value your custom and respect you enough to not take your money and then switch things up with no defensible or real reason. Note this is 100% NOT to do with weather conditions which were ideal and quite rare for the region. Sunny skies, calm waters (even in the notorious Drakes Passage) and no mechanical issues with the ship. NCL do not deserve your business and my opinion is that they are a company not to be trusted.

Embarkation

1 out of 5
Total chaos.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5
Overall very good

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5
Somewhat meh. Nothing memorable. Some were ok.

Entertainment

3 out of 5
Not bad…but average compared to other cruise lines. Other than the most amazing covers band B12 who saved the whole cruise for us

Service and Staff

4 out of 5
Excellent overall

Ship Quality

4 out of 5
Pretty happy with the ship

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5
Carbin was clean and comfortable and well designed

Ship tip

DONT…choose another cruise line. But if too late..find B12 in Bliss lounge and enjoy

Ports of call

Buenos Aires, Argentina

3 out of 5

Puerto Madryn, Argentina

3 out of 5
Lovely little town to walk around

Punta Arenas, Chile

1 out of 5
Not much to see or do here. We saw the museum which was ok

Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina

3 out of 5
Wonderful excursion and a nice place to wander

Cruise Paradise Harbor, Antarctica Did not visit port

The main reason we booked this cruise was removed from the itinerary for “operational reasons” which have never been honestly disclosed. It was 100% NOT weather related as we had perfect sailing conditions ..even according to the captain with whom I had a face to face conversation at his invitation

Elephant Island, South Shetland Islands

3 out of 5

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands

3 out of 5
Cute little town

Disembarkation

2 out of 5
Messy but Fine. Happy to be off that ship
Was this review helpful? 5

11 Comments

earlydawn     8 months ago

Sounds scary. Too bad the "operational reasons" will never be fully disclosed. There a LOT of stipulations concerning Antarctic visits - were there already too many ships in the area? Wildlife activity?

willwork4cruz     8 months ago

NCL did give a reason for dropping Antarctica from their Antarctic cruise, “in order to enhance the guest experience, the itinerary has been revised.” Not only did they commit fraud (by any definition except their contract) they insulted you. Sounds like a class action lawsuit. You may not win but could cost NCL some more bad publicity.

byhisgrace     8 months ago

Your frustration is valid but glad you still had a great time

cortneyb     8 months ago

I'm normally one that even a port is missed... I'm all... read your contract! however, when I read the news article(s) on this and saw videos from somebody on the ship....I was like.... OH HECK NO!! bad form ncl. i would be upset 😡

Gwbigdog     8 months ago

Thanks for sharing

TiffyTaffy     8 months ago

Frustrating indeed. Thanks for sprinkling in the positives about the staff and ports. I appreciate the honest feedback.

RogueWaveRider     8 months ago

Certainly can appreciate your frustration with missing out on Antarctica but at least you didn't let that ruin your enjoyment of the rest of the ports you did have a chance to visit.

karlgrgurich     8 months ago

I too can understand your frustration.

cruising2004     8 months ago

I’m so sorry! Several people were posting online about this.

HeavySeas     8 months ago

Thanks for sharing

javawoody     8 months ago

I understand your frustration

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