Star review 4.8.12

[jakenashleysmom]

Let me start by saying that no cruise is a bad cruise! I love being on the water, seeing new ports and no cooking or cleaning for a week doesn't stink either! We booked this cruise knowing things would be "different" than Royal Caribbean, which is what we are used to. I may compare a bit in this review, bear with me.

 

Booking: NCL makes things a breeze. No problems researching on line, booking and changing cabins. Getting the booklets with luggage tags in the mail was cool, RC has done away with them and gone to e-everything!

 

Embarkation: Great, no problems here either. The port was well organized and everyone was helpful and cheerful. We were greeted by the ships staff when we stepped on the ship with music and dancing, what a nice way to start your week! Really made us feel welcome.

 

First things first....lunch! After a bit of searching, we found Versailles and sat down to a lovely lunch. Sure beats the cattle lines at the buffet! No lunch in the dining room first day on RC, only buffet or a sandwich on the prominade. Now when I say we searched for the restaurant, I am not joking. This ship has to be one of the most difficult to navigate that I have ever been on. You know, "can't get there from here"....lots of that went on during the week.

 

Rooms: they were ready quite early, like before 1pm....with luggage! Sweet! We were in outside connecting rooms, deck 5. For a family of 4, it was a great set up. We left the beds apart in both rooms for more space. Loads of storage space in the cabins, huge window with a nice shelf. They could use a bit of sprucing up, the beds all had plywood inserts because they were so old and worn. They were comfortable enough, but the mattress kept sliding off because of the new height the plywood gave it. Rocked to sleep every night, yes please!

 

Dining/food: Now heres where things went south....for me. I admit, I did have a bit of a preconceived impression of how freestyle dining was going to be, but I was open to trying it and feel that I honestly went into it open minded. We never really had to wait for a table in either of the main dining rooms. We did see huge lines at some of the earlier dinner times, but I guess we just hit it at the right time every night....after 8:00 most nights. Breakfast was very nice in the dining room, typical cruiseline food but well prepared and hot. Lunch was nice as well although the menu was the same every day....much like RC. I didn't eat lunch in the buffet ever, the kids did but what do they know right? They always found plenty to eat, not sure what it was.....but they liked it. They also liked going to Blue Lagoon and ordering burgers and wings and such. Dinner was good, lobster was GREAT although we had to ask for it as it was the special and we were not told about it...weird. Most meals I feel like the food itself was of good quality, but the preparation was lacking. It was routinely over cooked....steak, salmon etc. Except when I ordered steak rare to avoid the overcooked steak from the last dinner...then it showed up just about raw. Soup! The soups on this ship were fantastic! The coffee was really good as well, not your typical cruiseship coffee thank goodness. RC's coffee is horrible!

 

We tried a few of the specialty restaurants on the ship, and they varied in service and food. The tepanyaki was a blast and the food was really good. We had no problem getting a reservation even later in the week. DH and I went to Le Bistro for dinner one night and it was a disappointment. The service was less than stellar, and my filet that I ordered medium rare was medium well to well. I would have sent it back, but the waiter never came back to check on us until we were just about full so I didn't bother. La Cucina was delicious and the service was great. Not much of an atmosphere, but it was a nice dinner and good value. We also had ala carte sushi for lunch one day which was really good.

 

The ship: well, she's old....and tired. She needs to go to the spa and be rejuvinated. The layout was a bit odd as well, we got lost....a lot! The pool, too small and chair hogs were over abundant. One woman was bragging how she got up 4am to put out her towels, and didn't come back until 2pm. Towels are free so why not? RC charges for a lost towel, not that that helps deter the chair hogs.....nothing does LOL! Great live music by the pool every day, but lack of cocktail service...it was even difficult to get a drink at the bar.

 

Ports: fabulous! Loved them all. Roatan is really quaint and clean, ziplining was a blast! Costa Maya, we will return...a hidden gem. Cozumel is Cozumel, and Belize is Belize. Nice touch by NCL-cold towels upon return to the ship after a hot day in port.

 

I feel the need to submit this thus far so it doesn't get lost....more in a minute!

[jakenashleysmom]

In conclusion:

 

NCL pros: loved hearing "washy washy" in the "cafeteria" aka Market Buffet in the mornings! Casino, we actually won and the staff was awesome and friendly. Great soups and coffee. Cold towels at port and a lovely greeting upon arrival. Great music by the pool and free towels. Lunch in the diningroom on the first day was nice as well.

 

NCL cons: little or no cocktail service in the pool area. chair hogs (eh, what are you going to do?). Same menu in diningroom every night (with some specials) and at lunch. Food prep was not very good. Ship is tired and in need of a makeover.

 

Overall, as I said the food was good typical cruiseline food. The service, while it wasn't "bad", was not what I expect when I go on a cruise. I feel that freestyle dining shows a lack of "pride of ownership" service-wise. When you cruise on a traditional line, your server has someone to answer to...YOU! You know who they are, and they are actually working for tips. They get what they deserve from me. I always tip the minimum and better if they are extra special....which they almost always are. I didn't feel that way on NCL. I felt like we didn't matter because they were getting their cut either way, service was lacking that personal touch. Much like our local yacht club or country club....tip is added so the service is less than grand! I also missed the general feel of the grand dining experience of a traditional cruiseline. I missed walking into the dining room with 95% of the fellow diners following the same theme for the evening, happily. I missed the grand 3 tiered diningroom with violins playing and your server asking you how your day was. I missed seeing the people on the next table from yours every night and chatting with them about their day. I missed my waiter knowing my kids like chocolate milk and fruitcups and teaching them fork tricks! I missed the day of the week on the elevator floor, the Royal Prominade, the Viking Crown Lounge, and the Schooner Bar.

 

Did I have a "bad" cruise on NCL....not on your life! We had a great time discovering all that "freestyle" has to offer. Would I go back, if the price was right you bet! But I have to say, I did miss Royal Caribbean a lot and will appreciate when I return! :D

[libertyschool]

Thank you for the honest review!!

[fergusonvt]

Glad you had a good time. I honestly did not find the ship tired or worn when we were on her at the end of January.

[che5904]

Thanks for the review. Glad overall you had a good experience.

 

The service at the pool is something I think that any ship can't win with. If they come around too much, they are accused of trying to nickel and dime you. If they don't come around enough people claim they don't have good enough service.

 

We had it both ways. On the Dawn they were almost to the point of "go away I'm trying to relax", On the Star we barely seen a server at certain times of the day.

 

BTW NCL claims to charge for lost pool towels as well, I think it is $25. In saying that in the 2 1/2 years I've been on CC, no one has stepped up to say they were charged. I think they just need to step up and do a better job of enforcing their own policy.

 

The size of the pool is small, but to have it larger would take away from deck space and if the chair hogs were in abundance and making it hard to find a lounger. If you cut down the deck space it would make it that much more difficult. Again with the size of the ship it is a no win situation.

[fabby50]

The drinks thing is why I think they should have flags, like you'll find at many resorts. You put the flag up if you want service, down if you don't. I think they should have them at the pool, the theater, etc. Heck, give us all hats with flags :)

[che5904]

The drinks thing is why I think they should have flags, like you'll find at many resorts. You put the flag up if you want service, down if you don't. I think they should have them at the pool, the theater, etc. Heck, give us all hats with flags :)

 

I've never been at a resort that had that. What a great idea.

[jakenashleysmom]

We actually didn't have any towels the first afternoon, 2 of 4 appeared later that day. I did enjoy not having to go to the towel exchange to get fresh ones, our cabin steward always replaced them for us! Another nice touch.

 

Agreed on the drinks, and to add to your comment about the size of the ship/pool area that may be part of the lack of cocktail service....theres simply no room to walk around with trays of drinks LOL! I like the hat with flag idea, mine would be up all the time LOL! I think the waterslides take up way too much room for the amount of people I saw actually using them. Not something that can actually be fixed, it is what it is.

 

I guess by tired and worn I mean outdated? The fake flowers and water feature in the main centrum really has to go. The rest of the ship honestly just needs fresh carpet as there is a lot of wood showing that doesn't need anything done to it. Also the theater seats....come on, we HAVE to agree that they need to be replaced!:D

[che5904]

We actually didn't have any towels the first afternoon, 2 of 4 appeared later that day. I did enjoy not having to go to the towel exchange to get fresh ones, our cabin steward always replaced them for us! Another nice touch.

 

Agreed on the drinks, and to add to your comment about the size of the ship/pool area that may be part of the lack of cocktail service....theres simply no room to walk around with trays of drinks LOL! I like the hat with flag idea, mine would be up all the time LOL! I think the waterslides take up way too much room for the amount of people I saw actually using them. Not something that can actually be fixed, it is what it is.

 

I guess by tired and worn I mean outdated? The fake flowers and water feature in the main centrum really has to go. The rest of the ship honestly just needs fresh carpet as there is a lot of wood showing that doesn't need anything done to it. Also the theater seats....come on, we HAVE to agree that they need to be replaced!:D

 

Maybe they should re-examine the use of the waterslide and remove it at least it would make more deck room, can't do much about the size of the pool except at great expense. I actually didn't see anyone using the slides, but we weren't around the pool much in busier times. And most of our cruise was during a cold spell on the west coast.

 

We only got to one show, so I won't be able to weigh in on the seats, they seemed fine to me, but as I said I only used one for one show.

[jakenashleysmom]

Its funny, off to the sides of the theater the seats were fine...as if they weren't used as much. In the middle section, ay yi yi! DH and I disagreed on the reason, but when you sat down you sank waaayyy down as if they were worn from too much use. DH thinks they are like that on purpose so you are lower than the person in back of you. Either way, its a b*#%h getting out of them LOL!

[che5904]

Its funny, off to the sides of the theater the seats were fine...as if they weren't used as much. In the middle section, ay yi yi! DH and I disagreed on the reason, but when you sat down you sank waaayyy down as if they were worn from too much use. DH thinks they are like that on purpose so you are lower than the person in back of you. Either way, its a b*#%h getting out of them LOL!

 

Awww that could be why, we were sitting on the far right hand side. My only complaint was a large pillar that was in our way which meant a lot of bobbing your head back and forth to see everything, which I'm assuming could be quite annoying to the person behind me if they weren't very tall. But I blame myself for choosing that spot.

[happythoughts]

Thanks for your review. Can you elaborate on having to ask about the specials/lobster? I thought the server gives a menu that has an always available section and a section that changes daily. Are thre also specials, I should ask the server about?

[che5904]

Thanks for your review. Can you elaborate on having to ask about the specials/lobster? I thought the server gives a menu that has an always available section and a section that changes daily. Are thre also specials, I should ask the server about?

 

I can't answer this question directly since I always seem to miss lobster night in the MDR when it is the first night and so is the sailaway BBQ (which I love).

 

Yes you are correct there are 2 sides to the menu. The Classic selections (same every night) and the nights signature specialties (changes nightly). On the signature specialties is "chef's regional specialty". Perhaps that is what was meant.

[jakenashleysmom]

yes, it was the chefs regional specialty. the server just didn't mention it, and it just happened to be lobster!

[richs52]

Thanks for the review. Everyone is different. I left RCL and switched to NCL exactly because of the reasons you like RCL.

[fergusonvt]

We actually didn't have any towels the first afternoon, 2 of 4 appeared later that day. I did enjoy not having to go to the towel exchange to get fresh ones, our cabin steward always replaced them for us! Another nice touch.

 

Agreed on the drinks, and to add to your comment about the size of the ship/pool area that may be part of the lack of cocktail service....theres simply no room to walk around with trays of drinks LOL! I like the hat with flag idea, mine would be up all the time LOL! I think the waterslides take up way too much room for the amount of people I saw actually using them. Not something that can actually be fixed, it is what it is.

 

I guess by tired and worn I mean outdated? The fake flowers and water feature in the main centrum really has to go. The rest of the ship honestly just needs fresh carpet as there is a lot of wood showing that doesn't need anything done to it. Also the theater seats....come on, we HAVE to agree that they need to be replaced!:D

 

 

Yes, I did think they were uncomfortable. And we sat in the middle section everytime. The ones on the Sun were much comfier and they had lots of room between rows. There were little tables for your drinks at some of them.

[jakenashleysmom]

Thanks for the review. Everyone is different. I left RCL and switched to NCL exactly because of the reasons you like RCL.

 

So true, theres a cruiseline for everyone! :)

[jeckstein]

Thanks for an even-handed review. I am planning to take the Star out of New Orleans next April and appreciate your comments. However, the reason we are going on the Star instead of RCI is the freestyle experience. I love being able to eat whenever and not having to carry all those dress-up clothes. To each his or her own. It is why there are many cruise lines.

[knitlady037]

We are on the Star right now and had dinner for 8 in LeBistro that was amazing! From the service to the food. Tonight is chef's table dinner

[frangig]

:oWe were on the Star March 25h cruise have to agree with everything you said...We too miss the good old days with that SPECIAL service, that's why we still do Celebrity. But as you said, we had a great time on the Star too.:rolleyes:

[eiffeltower07]

Thanks for your review. Can you elaborate on having to ask about the specials/lobster? I thought the server gives a menu that has an always available section and a section that changes daily. Are thre also specials, I should ask the server about?

 

We made a point to dine at Aqua on our first night on the Star for "lobster night." The lobster dish was not listed on the menu with the daily specials. I was also on the 4/8 sailing.

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for taking the time to do a review. Glad you had an interesting time.

[SailBabySail]

Haven't had a chance to update my profile (just became a 1st time grandma) but we will be on the Star July 1st. I'm taking my son and his girl (he is proposing on the cruise). You guys are making me nervous with comments about the lack of bar service in the pool area and the "tiredness" of the ship. We've been on the Spirit and the Gem and can't say enough good things about both ships. Please tell me something positive...please. One question if I may ask...it appears to me that the Bier Garten is 2 levels up from the pool area. Is that correct? Are you able to look down at the pool from there? Thanks everyone :)

[RollerCoasterLover]

I am really nervous, but as the original poster stated, "no cruise is a bad cruise". My entire family choice of line is Carnival. Maybe because we haven't sailed anything else. Hence, we are sailing on the NCL Star from New Orleans in November. (Hitting all same ports as mentioned in this thread: Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize, and Honduras.) I am hoping that we like the Star because she is just slightly bigger than the size of ship we like, and slightly smaller than the class of ship we didn't like. I am a bit concerned with the idea of "you can't get there from here".

 

A main question I have is regarding disembarkation. Does anyone know about New Orleans? About what time should I expect to get off the ship and on the road. My family will be driving, but they need to drop me off at the airport and I didn't know what time to book my flight out. I have sailed to the other New Orleans terminal with Carnival but not the one with NCL.

 

Thanks in advance!!!

[Hikini]

We love the Star, having been on her 4 times and will miss her greatly now that she's been moved off the AK route. But I will agree about some of the seats in the Stardust....sloped down and uncomfortable, even for small, short people like me. Thankfully we were able to find some of the more comfy seats most of the time.