Questions about the NCL Star

[annie822]

First time cruiser on the Star April 23, 2011. Trying to locate the menus on the ship.I am also staying in a balcony room, anyone have any pics. How about any cruise advice or advice for the stops on the Mexican Riviera?

I want to know it all..We are so very excited!!:D How about the costs of drinks onboard?

[singinglizzie]

We'll be traveling the Star in March. I saw that no one had responded, so I thought I would give it a shot. So far haven't seen any recent menus for the Star on these boards, and I've been looking for a few months. There are some floating around from other ships, which could wind up being similar. Regarding stops - check out the Ports board for the Mexican Riviera. We booked Mazatlan Frank in Mazatlan, and an ATV tour in PV. I hear the big thing is either zip-lines or swim with dolphins. Regarding drink costs, I think you are looking at $8.00 and up, but there are daily specials, maybe someone who has recently cruised will post. Hope this was helpful.

[Chipster2]

These photos are from a while back but should give you a pretty good idea about the Star. Sorry, no recent menus.

 

http://community.webshots.com/user/VegasARGH

[annie822]

You guys are great, appreciate all the feedback I can get. I have heard Franks is a good outfit to travel with. Just do not even know what to expect as I have never cruised before :o

[swedish weave]

First time cruiser on the Star April 23, 2011. Trying to locate the menus on the ship.I am also staying in a balcony room, anyone have any pics. How about any cruise advice or advice for the stops on the Mexican Riviera?

I want to know it all..We are so very excited!!:D How about the costs of drinks onboard?

 

Jump over to the Ports of Call board and clic on Mexican Riviera. There is a ton of information there about all three ports you will visit.

[terrymtex01]

OP.. Welcome to cruising, NCL and Cruise Critic. I hope you find yourself as addicted to all three as much as most of us are. 8-)

 

First, let me say I hope you love the Star as much as we have. You can see by our signature we have sailed on her three times, and chose her the second and third time because we loved her so much the first time. On our upcoming cruise it was a tough choice for us because the itinenaries were the same, basically, for the Star and the Spirit, but the Spirit won because we love her embarkation port so much (New Orleans) and we really wanted to give her a try as we have read so many great things about the Spirit. The Star has an amazing crew which for us, always makes us feel like we are visiting long lost friends. It has amazed us how we will have a random crew member come up to us and welcome us back even though it may have been a year since we were aboard her. We love the layout of the Star and have several favorite restaurants aboard her. Our favorites are the MDR (main dining room), Cagney's and Lotus Garden. YOU HAVE NO IDEA what a statement it is for me to say Lotus Garden is one of my partners favorite restaurants aboard the Star because I can't get him to eat any type of Asian food here at home. 8-)

 

As far as your ports of call.. I have to tell you.. I am not a huge fan of Cabo. I have a hard time telling you why, really, but it just isn't one of my favorites. Please don't let that discourage you about Cabo. There isn't anything wrong with it really, I just didn't enjoy it very much. IF we ever were to go back to Cabo, from folks I spoke with on our cruise there who took the Lands End Boat Tour, that is the excursion I would take, if I took one there at all.

 

PV, we LOVED. We were there late in the year and it was the time of year the bay was FILLED with whale. I mean literally every where you looked. We have very nice video of the whales we saw. Also, one of our top five favorite excursions we have ever been on was in PV. We took the Las Caletas Hideaway excursion. It is a beautiful place, friendly staff, very good food, nice little beach, nice chairs and tables to lounge at. Would take this excursion again without hesitation.

 

Can't help you with Mazatlan as we have never been there.

 

I hope you have a great cruise and I really hope you come back and tell us all about it. There is so much useful information on CC. Keep looking an keep asking your questions. 8-)

[annie822]

Thanks for all the info..you must let me know how the Spirit is..I have never visited New Orleans and that would be so fun to start a cruise there.

Right now we have booked time with Mazatlan Frank for a city tour and part of the day at a resort in the Golden Zone...not sure on anything else yet--but Martini Tasting :).....

[annie822]

Any other fabulous advice for this ship? :)

[crusinmama22]

We don't sail till Feb 2012 -- so any info is great.

 

Can't wait.

[moosa]

We don't sail till Feb 2012 -- so any info is great.

 

Can't wait.

 

 

I've been to Mexico many times. Cabo is boring and the most expensive of all the ports. this is just my opinion of course. the land tour is good, whale watching is good too. restaurants not so good and over priced. beware of the little boats that want to take you everywhere for a low price. I would stick with the ship tours. beaches are nice too but honestly, there's no sights within the port other than a restaurant and shopping. most of their silver is fake too but just in the shopping are at the pier.

 

PV is my favorite port. there is a lot to do there. we have been to el eden, a resort up high with natural water. great for swimming, hikes and food. at the pier, depending where you're dropped off there's good shopping. you can take a van taxi for $6 per person each way to downtown. good shopping, food and the beach. very nice people too. there's a free bathroom at starbucks btw but you have to buy something. they accept american starbucks cards. I heard that a cooking class is nice to do in PV too and a beach resort like no other at las caletas. can only get there by boat. they have kayaking, snorkeling and massages too! food is good but beware of their lobster, it made me sick once.

 

mazatlan is nice too. great shopping by the pier too. I would say the best prices are there. take a trolley tour, it's only $25 per person and takes you to 3 or 4 different places. you even get a free tshirt. resorts are nice. there's a tour we did to see the papantla flyers which I recommend, good show and then they took us to the golden zone for shopping which was also the best with good prices. then the resort is very close by to the golden zone and the beach, food and amenities were excellent but I can't remember the name.

 

depending on your ship you might be able to take a free taxi to diamonds international which is located at the golden zone. go inside diamonds international, get a free drink and walk into the golden zone. then go back to diamonds international for the free ride back to the ship. just don't tell anyone that you haven't bought anything. they have free clean bathrooms there too.

 

hope this helps.

[annie822]

8 days..thanks for all the advice but they canceled Mazatlan on this cruise :( so we have two days in Cabo--so what should we do?

We were also visited by the upgrade fairy--balcony to mini suite..and up a floor..the extra room will be great..It is our first cruise hope is does not spoil us.

[Hikini]

You're doing pretty good to have a mini suite for your first cruise! Since you won't know what it's like to be in one of the really small rooms, be sure to try and get a look into an inside as it is being cleaned, or on the last day when many doors are left open as people are disembarking.

 

On our last cruise we had a family suite - one of the beautiful new ones on the Star - and we had a first time cruiser with us. Needless to say, once they got to look inside one of the small, inside rooms, then they really knew just how lucky they were to be in a suite!

 

We love the Star and have been on her 3 times. Our 4th, in another suite, is coming up in a few months. The Star is our favorite ship of the 4 NCL ships we've been on. For many reasons.

 

Since you have a balcony, I'm sure you will make good use of that, but here's a recommendation. If you want a good view of the port you are just leaving, go to the back of the ship on deck 7 as the ship is pulling away. It's open air, yet you are under cover and may have the place to yourselves, but you get a great view of the disappearing skyline (or whatever) of the place you are leaving. A great picture opportunity - you can also include the ships wake in the picture for a fun effect.

 

Both of the main dining rooms (known as MDR's here on the boards) are located on deck 6. Aqua is midship and is the smaller of the two, but has the same menu. Versailles is the bigger, more elegant dining room at the back of the ship. It is located on deck 6, but you have to get to it by deck 7. There is one elevator in the AFT elevator bank that will go to the 6th floor, and at this moment I can't remember which elevator it is. (I think it is the middle one.)Otherwise, walk towards the back of the ship on deck 7, then you will come to the stairwell that takes you down to the restaurant.

 

Don't forget the Blue Lagoon. It is an all day and night diner that has the same menu each day. Things such as burgers, fish and chips, chicken wings, etc. The service in there can be on the slow side, but it's a good place to go for a late night meal or snack. They also serve breakfast in the Blue Lagoon, which is good.

 

I could talk all day about NCL, cruising and the Star. But I'll leave it at that!

 

Have a great time and be sure to come back here and tell us all about it!

 

Hikini:D

[Megomine]

Going on the Star in September and so excited. Our first cruise. I have a question that I cannot find the answer to. What time can you usually embark?

[hawaiideb]

We loved the Versailles main dining room. Aqua was not our favorite, only went once and didn't go back. Le Bistro is wonderful (best meal of the week!) but inside (no view) and low 6th floor. Didn't go to anything else besides Blue Lagoon. Good Chicken wings. LOVED the Red Lion Pub for popcorn and a nice place to sit, but it is a major traffic path, so it's busy a lot. Avoided the casino as much as possible..... too much second hand smoke for me!

 

Whale watched with EcoTours in Cabo. 6 of us had our own little boat, got right up to a momma and baby. The whales might not still be there in April. :( 2nd day some went horseback riding, through Johann and Sandra... see Mexican Riviera boards. They loved it!

 

In PV, we ziplined with Las Veranos canopy tours. It was super busy our day, not the safest since they had to many people going way too close together for my taste. At one point, I was still hooked onto the line, and my husband was zipping toward me at 30+ miles an hour~yikes! However, it was tons of fun, even for this plus size mom!

 

Food was very good! Spring break trip, so lots of challenges. Chocolate buffet was a mess.... just unappetizing :( Enjoy the Star, she's a pretty ship. Try to organize a meet and greet with the captain, we got invited to visit the Bridge! So cool!

[Inuvikcouple]

Going on the Star in September and so excited. Our first cruise. I have a question that I cannot find the answer to. What time can you usually embark?

 

We head over at about 11 and try to be in the first group on usually around 11:30, that way you beat the crowd and can check out the ship and have lunch. Try the MDR for lunch, table service and more relaxed than the buffet or Cagney's if you are in a suite.

[alwalaska]

Thanks for all the info..you must let me know how the Spirit is..I have never visited New Orleans and that would be so fun to start a cruise there.

Right now we have booked time with Mazatlan Frank for a city tour and part of the day at a resort in the Golden Zone...not sure on anything else yet--but Martini Tasting :).....

 

We just got off of the Spirit a couple of weeks ago. It was a great vacation. The crew was just amazing. Roatan was my favorite stop. I think in late 2012 or early 2013, the Star will be taking the Spirit's place in New Orleans.

[alwalaska]

You're doing pretty good to have a mini suite for your first cruise! Since you won't know what it's like to be in one of the really small rooms, be sure to try and get a look into an inside as it is being cleaned, or on the last day when many doors are left open as people are disembarking.

 

On our last cruise we had a family suite - one of the beautiful new ones on the Star - and we had a first time cruiser with us. Needless to say, once they got to look inside one of the small, inside rooms, then they really knew just how lucky they were to be in a suite!

 

We love the Star and have been on her 3 times. Our 4th, in another suite, is coming up in a few months. The Star is our favorite ship of the 4 NCL ships we've been on. For many reasons.

 

Since you have a balcony, I'm sure you will make good use of that, but here's a recommendation. If you want a good view of the port you are just leaving, go to the back of the ship on deck 7 as the ship is pulling away. It's open air, yet you are under cover and may have the place to yourselves, but you get a great view of the disappearing skyline (or whatever) of the place you are leaving. A great picture opportunity - you can also include the ships wake in the picture for a fun effect.

 

Both of the main dining rooms (known as MDR's here on the boards) are located on deck 6. Aqua is midship and is the smaller of the two, but has the same menu. Versailles is the bigger, more elegant dining room at the back of the ship. It is located on deck 6, but you have to get to it by deck 7. There is one elevator in the AFT elevator bank that will go to the 6th floor, and at this moment I can't remember which elevator it is. (I think it is the middle one.)Otherwise, walk towards the back of the ship on deck 7, then you will come to the stairwell that takes you down to the restaurant.

 

Don't forget the Blue Lagoon. It is an all day and night diner that has the same menu each day. Things such as burgers, fish and chips, chicken wings, etc. The service in there can be on the slow side, but it's a good place to go for a late night meal or snack. They also serve breakfast in the Blue Lagoon, which is good.

 

I could talk all day about NCL, cruising and the Star. But I'll leave it at that!

 

Have a great time and be sure to come back here and tell us all about it!

 

Hikini:D

Can you tell me what the sleeping arrangements for passengers 3-6 are in those family suites? The web site is extremely vague. We are looking at 2 interiors for us and our 2 kids (18 and 20 at cruise time). But, I would love to try the suite if we can swing the price.

 

Also, do you know if they had pretzel rolls anywhere except the buffet on the Star? I loved picking one up as I passed by Bier Garten on the Spirit.

 

Finally, do you have any pictures to share? I would love to see pictures from after the renovations. Most of the web sites that have pictures are from 2009 or earlier.

 

Thanks.

[Jokelady]

We did the MR twice last year. Once on Norwegian Star and once on Carnival Splendor. Loved the Star!

 

If you would like the name of a great tour guide for PV... let me know. Roger took 8 of us for 25 bucks a head and he took us EVERYWHERE in PV. We went to Mismaloya Beach, Predator movie site, downtown, toured fancy houses, The Love Bridge, we went to an orphanage (our idea) to name a few. He will take you anywhere you want to go. It was an excellant day and the price was right. If you want his info let me know.

 

While on the Star, go to the Aqua dining room. Look for Siti the waitress. She is FANTASTIC. She even cut our sons steak. She is from Indonesia and has been on the ship a long time. Her husband is a teacher and she has a young son. If you see her, tell her Kathy and Peter, Mathew and Patience from Canada said hello.

 

Hope you have a wonderful time aboard the Star. Have a safe trip in Mexico.

[Army/Police Vet]

The family suite on the Star has a queen bed, a murphy bed and a sofa. All three will sleep 1-2 people each. They also have some curtains that can be drawn around to make the one large room into 3 'bedrooms'. Six people is doable, but if they are all adults it could get tight.

[carebear71]

Hi Annie 822! Here is a link for the Dailies and Menus on the Star that I found from a post back in February. Even though the Dailies have the old itinerary with Mazatlan, it has been very helpful to me since I am a 1st time NCL cruiser too. Hope it helps you too!

 

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B2Q...MTA0ZmIx&hl=en

 

We're on the same cruise, so see you at the CC Meeting! Congrats on the upgrade. Wishing for one myself! :)

[Hikini]

Can you tell me what the sleeping arrangements for passengers 3-6 are in those family suites? The web site is extremely vague. We are looking at 2 interiors for us and our 2 kids (18 and 20 at cruise time). But, I would love to try the suite if we can swing the price.

 

Also, do you know if they had pretzel rolls anywhere except the buffet on the Star? I loved picking one up as I passed by Bier Garten on the Spirit.

 

Finally, do you have any pictures to share? I would love to see pictures from after the renovations. Most of the web sites that have pictures are from 2009 or earlier.

 

Thanks.

 

Not all of the new family suites will sleep 6. Some are only equipped for 4 due to either a handicap configuration, or because of the way there is a "jut out" with the windows.

 

For the suites that do sleep 6 there is a king bed, the murphy bed, which is a double and the sleeper sofa which is also a double. The sleeper sofa in our suite was super UNcomfortable for the person who had to sleep on it. The murphy bed and king bed were very comfy. At night, there are curtains and a folding "wall" that make the beds separate areas, if you want. After the first night we didn't, because it was great for everyone to be able to wake up to the incredible views we had through those big, beautiful windows!

 

During the day when the beds are made up, the area where the murphy bed is, is where the table and chairs are. In-between the table and chairs are 2 easy chairs, a coffee table and the sofa. For sitting on, the sofa was very comfortable. If we had the need for someone to sleep on the sofa again - one person - I would recommend not making it out into a bed. It was that bad! You could feel the bars, it sagged, and was generally awful - like an old couch that had been around forever. But it didn't look old.

 

There were 5 of us, all adults, all family, and we never felt cramped at all. Plenty of room. Having only 1 bathroom was OK too. There is a large, well lit mirror in the main part of the room, so if someone was in the bathroom, someone else could still be combing their hair, applying make up or whatever in front of the mirror in the room. Also, if needed, there is another bathroom up one floor, so an easy fix if the bathroom is busy.

 

I can't say enough good things about the new suites on the Star. If you want, I can email pictures to you. Send your email address to me at hikini@gmail.com

 

I didn't see the pretzel rolls anywhere but the buffet. But then I didn't go into the other areas, such as the Bier Garten on the Spirit.

[sasha101us]

We were on the March 26th cruise. We went to Cab for 2 days as well. Boring , I stayed on the boat for the most part and enjoyed the solitude!

One thing that really bugged us about the Star was the smell in the elevators. I don't know what it was, but it kinda smelled like old stale fish. It was an annoying smell. Anyone else know what I'm taking about?

[Hikini]

We were on the March 26th cruise. We went to Cab for 2 days as well. Boring , I stayed on the boat for the most part and enjoyed the solitude!

One thing that really bugged us about the Star was the smell in the elevators. I don't know what it was, but it kinda smelled like old stale fish. It was an annoying smell. Anyone else know what I'm taking about?

 

Yes, unfortunately I do! It was that way in 2006 and again in 2010. It must be some solution they use for cleaning, but I wish they could find a different scent for it. That's exactly how I described it, as a fishy smell. No, it's not overpowering, but it's there!

[alwalaska]

Hi Annie 822! Here is a link for the Dailies and Menus on the Star that I found from a post back in February. Even though the Dailies have the old itinerary with Mazatlan, it has been very helpful to me since I am a 1st time NCL cruiser too. Hope it helps you too!

 

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B2Q...MTA0ZmIx&hl=en

 

We're on the same cruise, so see you at the CC Meeting! Congrats on the upgrade. Wishing for one myself! :)

 

Thank you so much for posting that link. It usually takes me months to find good information like this. Now, what am I going to do for the next 13 months? ;)

[annie822]

Appreciate the link just what I wanted. Can't wait to meet everyone from the boards:D