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We will be in 10668 on the Pearl in 33 days!

10668 will be ours in 54 days! I can't wait to see what it looks like after dry dock.

I love dolphins and did the dolphin encounter at Blue Lagoon when stopped in Nassau. I was awesome!

I agree with the post suggesting that you go on the cruise as it is now, but I would not let it go as far as the conversation you had with "Alice". I work in a support center and have to assist in situations similar to yours, as far as "she/he told me this". It should not be difficult for them to find the recording or the agent that changed your reservation. They should have audits in their system showing the booking agent. As far as the recording goes, in our system, it is as simple as giving the date, the approximate time of the call and the number that you called from. Contact their guest relations department and speak with a manager. Insist that they review your call so they can avoid "Alice" from incorrectly advising customers in the future. Right now, I would hope that they are actively working to satisfy customers when the issue doesn't involve the water/soda situation :) Condolences to you and your family regarding your father's passing. You should go on this cruise regardless of whether this is resolved prior or not. But, don't let it go.

This link should answer your questions. I did this in January on the Star and everything worked out beautifully.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/rollcall/cruiselinel2.cfm?cruiselineid=24

Our cabin was exactly as expected. We had the bed near the closet and that was a nightmare there is a tiny gap inbetween the bed and closet made it difficult to get to. However, I enjoyed having the sitting area near the balcony as I would always have the balcony open when getting ready or having my morning coffee. Thankfully, all our clothes and things fit perfectly. My issue with these cabins are that there are no drawers not even one and no amenities in the bathroom which is not really an issue for me as I always bring my own regardless.

 

On the desk were some goodies from NCl and from a friend:

A latitudes letter, inviting us to the Wine and Cheese Social on Monday 7:00pm (only for latitudes members). Also, 25% off of laundry service (does not include dry cleaning) and priority disembarkation with two yellow luggage tags. Lastly, there were some delicious Godiva Chocolates from NCL and a bottle of wine from my friend with an NCL branded bottle opener.

 

 

Later, they delivered chocolate covered strawberries from my friend.

 

 

View of the entire room from the balcony, my hubby in the background putting a generic card in the power outlet.

 

 

 

 

The hair dryer worked well no need to bring one. The sitting stool served as a table as well just remove the wood top when sitting.

 

FYI... there are drawers under the couch.

I hope you have a great cruise. We did this one in January and it was awesome!

We are in 12012, so you are either next to us, or across from us on the other side of the ship. So excited there's another PH person on the meet and greet!

 

See you at the meet and greet,

 

Junogirl

That post was from 2011

Anyone know what time or day muster is on the Star? I was thinking it's on embarkation day, but maybe not? We have a 6pm reservation on embarkation day for Cagney's but I'm reconsidering that based on people saying there is a captain cocktail type party for suite guests at 6pm that day? Thanks for the help

We were on the Star in January and muster is around 3:30pm on embarkation day in the Stardust. Takes about 15 minutes and then you are on your way to Sailaway!! The cocktail party is the next evening for suite guests. We were in a Family Suite and absolutely loved it!! You don't think you will need all the perks but we did more than I thought we would!!

Want to plan a cruise to Alaska for the summer of 2017. What was your favorite ship and why?

We haven't cruised on the Pearl or to Alaska before, but based on the itinerary, we are booked June 18, 2017 for the Glacier Bay cruise RT out of Seattle. And it is 477 days away!!;)

I guess I don't understand. Having never sailed on the Star prior to 1/3/16, I don't know what the Spinnaker used to be. I found it to be lovely. We went early to a couple of "events" and there is ample room for anyone that wanted to be there. I was the gathering point for many events and it always accomodated everyone. The Star is not a "huge" ship. I think peoples expectations may be too high. My opinion is that people in general expect a megaship experience when sailing on a non-megaship. That's all I have to say about that!!

Have been on both. The Star just a couple of weeks ago. It depends on what type of cabin you are considering. We always book aft penthouse suites and that category is not really available on the Spirit. The Star is a bigger ship, and is looking great after the refurb., but the Spirit is in my opinion, one of the most beautiful ships in the fleet. Great common areas, designed for the oriental market, it has an exotic feel to it.

Hi Doug!! Great meeting you. Tell your family hi from us Nebraskans!!

The Biergarten is a great place with very few, if any kids. It is high on the ship and there is really nothing there other than the bar (which is awesome). My advice is to head up there for sailaway and check it out. It is a great place to be to get awesome pics going under the Skyway Bridge, if you going out of Tampa. If you just want a quiet place with no kids you can go to the library on deck 12. I don't think that the Star is going to be a lot of families first choice of ships to go on for spring break as it doesn't offer a lot of the perks that the bigger ships do. Which is why I fell in love with it!!

We were on the Star 1/3/16 and my family of 7 loved it. We could always find each other. As far as calling home, you may check with your wireless company and see if they have and "International/Cruise" plan. I am with Verizon and was able to add this for $40 for the month (only cruising 7 days but had to go with the month). I actually didn't use it, but it was there if I needed it, or if my house sitter needed to get me. The NCL app is 7.95 per device that wants to use it, so for the 7 of us, 4 of us got it, as only one individual in a couple needed it. Came in handy that one night when a couple of us were "left" in the casino.....

Hello!

 

I've spent a good amount of time reading threads on Alaska and feel like I've learned a lot but just need a bit more direction.

 

My family and I are planning an Alaskan cruise for June 2017. So far the only cruise I've done is the Carnival Magic to the Caribbean's and we loved it!

 

There will be about 4-5 adults and whats most important is itinerary and then price. From everything I've read it seems like Glacier Bay is an absolute must. We love wildlife, scenery, and the outdoors. (Which is why we are excited about Alaska).

 

I've also read that Holland America or Princess will be the best to choose from during that time period.

 

The part I'm still confused on is that even through Holland America or Princess, there are so many itineraries to choose from. Such as roundtrip Seattle, Roundtrip Vancouver, One way northbound or southbound.

 

If I've missed a thread that answers all this I apologize and would appreciate any redirection to more information. However, I didn't see anything specific to this in a search.

 

Thank you!

We just booked the June 18th Glacier Bay RT out of Seattle on the NCL Pearl. This will be our 3rd cruise. Our first was on the Carnival Dream (it was good) and the 2nd on NCL Star (this was awesome). I much prefer NCL's freestyle cruising concept. I too had contemplated which one to do but in the end decided to go with the RT. We will fly in on Friday night and stay over Sunday night after debarkation so that we can see as much of Seattle as we can. I would love to go to Denali but decided the added expense was too great. We can see wildlife, glaciers and take in the sights of the ports. We will take our own excursions once we decide what it is that we want to do at each port.

Asking for a friend:

 

Do Family Suites on Star get any alcohol or mixers included in their stateroom?

 

Also, do all suites get preferred show seating or just certain types?

 

TIA!

Just stayed in Family Suite. You will have a bottle of Champagne but no alcohol/mixers. I can't answer the show question as we didn't try. The priority embarkation/disembarkation is an awesome perk as well and priority tendering.

We booked for June of 2017 so I guess I shouldn't start a roll call :D Do you think the other social media site has a roll call for your sailings? I know it can't be promoted here but I think a lot of people use it as it is easier. I appreciate the roll calls as it gives us the opportunity to share things before actually sailing. We are 53 and 63 and I (the 53 yr old) use this technology daily. However, my husband (63 yr old) doesn't so perhaps the average age of those on the Alaska cruise is higher and they don't rely on the roll calls. Regardless, you will all have awesome cruises and make some wonderful memories!!

Question for anyone who has sailed on the Star to Belize, Honduras & Mexico. I have four kids, ages 5,9,11 & 13. Any suggestions on which excursions to book? Are there any I shouldn't miss (even if it means one adult staying behind with the younger ones)?

 

Need to start planning!

TIA!

We leave on the Star in 7 days!! Here are the excursions we have booked, none through NCL. I think your entire family would enjoy all of them. We are a family of 7, although the youngest is 20 :) However, these are all very affordable and we will get to see the local area at each port, as we have never been to any except Cozumel.

Roatan - Roatan Highlight tour through roatancruiseexcursions.com

Belize City - Cave tubing through cavetubing.bz

Costa Maya - CHACCHOBEN MAYAN RUINS TOUR through costamayacruiseexcursions.com

Cozumel - Mr. Sanchos

Have a great cruise regardless of what you choose!!

Of all the ships I've ever sailed on the Star was the worst, I wouldn't sail on it again and i was in a suite. I am going on the Jewel next month so I'm giving NCL a second chance. The ship was dirty, the food was okay , nothing great and the concierge? What concierge? Wasn't told what the suite perks were and missed out on some of them because of it. Now I'm wiser and willing to try a different NCL ship.

Okay, i'm scared now...I have been following these boards for over 350 days for the NCL Star..I want to have you confirm that you had no idea going in that you had the concierge/butler services available? Was this your first NCL Cruise in a suite? My family is going on our first NCL cruise as well as our first suite experience. I have been on the websites/NCL boards ever since I booked this $8000 trip. You bet I have tried to see what is available. Food is subjective so I don't put a lot of thought in that. If your whole complaint is because you didn't know the concierge or the suite perks...those things are avaiable all the time on the NCL website if you want to look for it. Normally I don't like the negative statements on this board, but I really don't see where any of your complaints are due to NCL.....

Cruising on the Star on January 3rd with departure time of 4:00 p.m. from Tampa. What is the earliest embarkation time for boarding the ship?

 

Thanks

Hey...I don't see you on our roll call. I am doing the meet and greet and would love to see you there!!:D

Of all the ships I've ever sailed on the Star was the worst, I wouldn't sail on it again and i was in a suite. I am going on the Jewel next month so I'm giving NCL a second chance. The ship was dirty, the food was okay , nothing great and the concierge? What concierge? Wasn't told what the suite perks were and missed out on some of them because of it. Now I'm wiser and willing to try a different NCL ship.

Did you book the cruise yourself on NCL? And even if you did..you should have found the suite perks listed. We are going on our first NCL cruise on th Star Jan 3 and trust me, I know everything there is to know about the suite perks etc... I booked directly with NCL so I would have no one to blame but myself if I wasn't aware of the perks. They are posted all over the NCL website. That's all I got to say about that.

Has anyone posted copies/pics of recent Daily Freestyle schedules from the 7-day Western Caribbean sailing?

 

Particularly interested in the times for evening shows in the Stardust Theater.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2276094&highlight=star

The "fee" includes the tip. If you get the complimentary coffee, etc...in the morning...a buck or two is nice.

It is my understanding that if you get the "free room service" within the time frame, there is no service charge, and ABSOLUTELY, you should tip.....however, if you get room service outside of that, tipping is up to you. I feel that the 7.95 covers the tips.

Hope you go. We'll be neighbors. Cabin 9732 aft suite. Booked it a long time ago. What's your drink? I'll hand off as many as I can.

Hey...between jpcdds and me/my husband...I'm sure we can take care of your drinks!!! Glad to have you on our cruise!!:D