Star Review - October 7-14, NYC to Bermuda

[shepherdqueen]

Background: This is our third cruise, all with NCL. Even though we have been CC members for a few years, this is the first review I have written. My husband (DH - 45) and I (42) splurged on our first balcony cabin (AFT!) as we celebrated our 10th anniversary. We have had inside cabins before which we found fine. We chose NCL for their Freestyle concept and we really have no desire to try a different line where we would have to get “dressed up” for dinner service. I do have a balance/mobility issue and I am going into detail about how we were able to navigate the train stations (a first for us) and hopefully this will help someone else in the future. We personally have had a very stressful year and we were looking forward to relaxing on this cruise.

 

Day One: We awoke very early to catch a 6:00 am Amtrak train to Penn Station. Our local train station is immaculate, with plenty of handicap parking and easy access elevators. Penn Station was not as easy to navigate, elevators were not easy to find. I have mobility/balance issues and I am terrified of escalators, but I was able to go “up” to street level, dragging one of the suitcases (DH handled the other two) where we took a terrifying, but thankfully short, taxi ride to the pier ($5.00 including tip). DH is a professional driver and he could not watch out the window.

 

We arrived at the pier at about 9:45 am. We gave our luggage to the porters and headed inside, straight to special assistance. I had arranged wheelchair embark/disembark as I cannot stand and wait in a long line. Since we were the first to arrive that requested such assistance, I was first on the list to be boarded. They had plenty of seating for the passengers who did arrive early. At 10:15 am they called for those who were not waiting for special assistance, but kept us who were informed that they would start with us at 11:30 am.

 

When they did start with the list of special assistance passengers, I was wheeled through security and check in, with my husband tagging along. We were able to embark very quickly at that point and we requested to be taken to the MDR instead of the buffet. The men who wheel us are wonderful, and careful. Great service!

 

DH & I enjoyed a lovely, quiet lunch in the MDR, then explored the Spinnaker while we waited for our cabins to be ready. They were ready well before 2:00 pm and we could not wait to check out our aft balcony! What a beautiful view!!

 

At this time it was raining very steadily, but we were able to enjoy sail away from our balcony! Even though this was our third cruise out of NYC sailing past Lady Liberty, watching the Freedom Towers grow and sneaking under the Verazzano bridge are sights that always take your breath away!!

 

 

We did head to the atrium where they had a (loud) band playing and it was utter chaos. DH grabbed a cup of the free coffee at the Java Café but we did not stay long. The noise was too much for me and I was tired and getting cranky. We headed back to our cabin where we turned on one of the the movie channels (we LOVE watching movies, and can do so over and over) I think I took a nap.

 

For dinner, since we were hungry at “rush hour”, we went to the buffet and had a quick bite before calling it an early night. I have a food allergy and the chefs were very helpful in pointing out dishes I could not eat. DH thought everything was bland, I really enjoyed a sweet potato cake with cilantro yogurt, but that was the only thing memorable I ate that night. Since we were so tired, we did not go to any shows.

[shepherdqueen]

More photos of New York Harbor:

 

These photos are of the George Washington Bridge, upriver.

 

 

The Freedom Towers.

 

 

Ellis Island.

 

[shepherdqueen]

Photos of the Intrepid.

 

 

New York City.

 

 

The Brooklyn Bridge.

 

 

Our ship.

 

 

I hope to post more soon!

[camz]

We were leaving the Star as you were boarding. We probably crossed paths at Penn Station as we always travel to NY by way of Amtrac. Love the aft balcony views! Weren't the bakery smells amazing? We were suppose to be in cabin 10230, however, the upsell fairy called at the last minute and we were moved to 9232, which was an Aft Facing Penthouse Suite. I hope you had as great a vacation as we did. Hope to see more updates!

[shepherdqueen]

The bakery smells were heavenly!!!!! We did enjoy ourselves and we are planning our 4th cruise, LOL.

 

BTW the taxi ride with tip was $15, not $5. And, DH walked alongside while I had the special assistance for embark/dismbark. The way I wrote it it seems we both did.

 

Please excuse my typos... I tend to make lots of them.

[camz]

I am glad you had a nice vacation. This was my 6th NCL Cruise and most of them were in an Aft Facing Balcony Cabin. You can really get hooked on those. :D What floor was your cabin on?

[shepherdqueen]

We were deck 9, in cabin 9238. We truly did get the use out of our space and LOVED the views!!

[shepherdqueen]

Day Two: We were up early and made coffee in our cabin (our favorite perk of the balcony category was the coffee maker) and then headed to the MDR for breakfast when they opened. Breakfast was fine, it is not my favorite meal but it is for DH. Today was also our Meet & Greet for CC, which I did arrange. First we headed to the casino at 9:00 when the manager arrived so we could arrange the day/time of the slot pull. I was not given enough information as to which machine we would use, max. bet, etc. , all which would have made the slot pull simpler when it actually happened. Oh well.

 

Off to the Spinnaker for adult arts & crafts where we got to decorate a trinket box. It was fun! Then later DH & I headed to LeBistro where we waited for the Meet & Greet!

 

DH & I enjoyed meeting everyone! What a huge turn out we had – the restaurant was packed!! We had a lovely surprise – the Captain popped in briefly and invited us all on a bridge tour!

 

 

At the M&G, as we were mingling, we were told that the Latitudes party was that afternoon and we did not receive an invitation. I approached Sean, the HD, and he told me the place and time, remembered our cabin number. A quick swing by the buffet for lunch and off to the Lattitudes party we went. We did find that the new Spinnaker in the aft of the ship is not as large or cozy as the forward Spinnakers are.

 

 

Back to our cabin to relax and nap, and we get a phone call. It was Candace the Lattitudes rep, very apologetic, and she extended additional invitations to us. How nice of her!! Later on we actually approached her at a seminar on the Breakaway as she was so familiar and yes, she was on our sailing of the Jewel last year.

 

Now that we had started to get some much needed R&R, we started our normal evening routine… a quick bite at the Blue Lagoon (I had the wings every night, DH tried different items) and off to the early show at the Stardust. The level row off the deck 6 entrance was mobbed (on the Jewel last year we never had an issue finding handicap seating there) and we had a problem with broken seats in the row below it. We did find two chairs (similar to what was in the Spinnaker) which we took advantage of. We enjoyed the music to Band On The Run but the acoustics were “off” and the sound was not as kind to my ears as I would have appreciated.

 

From the Stardust we went to Versailles for an early dinner. Since we missed dinner at the MDR on our first night I did speak to the Maitre D on how to handle my uncommon food allergy (yes, I did email the special needs desk in advance). He made a suggestion for that evening’s dinner and we arranged for me to view the menu for the next day to preorder each night.

 

I have to admit I had my first disappointing meal in the MDR. We do not eat in specialty restaurants as DH & I eat out every weekend and we are blessed to be in an area where we have all the available options offered to us locally. We both had the Grilled New York Strip Steak, but mine was very over done (ordered medium – was shoe leather) with an undercooked baked potato. DH’s meal was ok, the steak a little tough, but much edible. I did not order a new meal as I was not hungry by any means between the delicious rolls, my starter and dessert. I did discuss my disappointment with the Maitre D as I preordered my next day’s dinner.

[shepherdqueen]

Day Three: DH woke before me and headed to the MDR for breakfast while I slept in. When I did wake, I found an envelope that was shoved under our door – it was an invitation to dine with the Captain & Officers that night at Versailles!! DH was sweet enough to bring me back breakfast while we got ready for our second day at sea.

 

Today was a quiet, rainy sea day. We miss that this ship does not have a card room, but we brought our cards and a small puzzle to Moderno, where you can use it as such until 4:00 pm. They did have pastries and coffee available there, a nice touch. We spent the afternoon relaxing in our room, napped and watched movies.

 

Dinner was excellent!! We met in the Spinnaker, and with three other couples, we joined the Captain, Staff Officer, Hotel Director and Chief Engineer for a wonderful dinner!! A special menu was offered to us, which was divine!! A truly memorable evening which was the highlight of our vacation!

 

We were able to make the late show of Shark Bait just by the skin of our teeth. Unfortunately being so late we did not get good seats, and I could not sit next to my husband as there was a broken seat between us. The show made up for it! Great comedy and they are incredibly talented. A good end to the day.

[camz]

We were deck 9, in cabin 9238. We truly did get the use out of our space and LOVED the views!!

 

Do you remember the name of your cabin steward? Ours was great and should have been the same one you had. He was real tall, dark hair and I think from India. I can't recall his name and I would love to send a letter to NCL to send some kudos his way. :) The crew was amazing on the Star.

[NYGirl1002]

I'm enjoying your review and I can't wait for more!

[shepherdqueen]

Do you remember the name of your cabin steward? Ours was great and should have been the same one you had. He was real tall, dark hair and I think from India. I can't recall his name and I would love to send a letter to NCL to send some kudos his way. :) The crew was amazing on the Star.

 

Yes, that describes our steward who was Aslie. He was very nice! I did find "Your Vacation Hero" cards which I did complete for him and our favorite server in Versailles, Felimon.

[shepherdqueen]

I'm enjoying your review and I can't wait for more!

 

Thanks! I will write more later!

[camz]

Yes, that describes our steward who was Aslie. He was very nice! I did find "Your Vacation Hero" cards which I did complete for him and our favorite server in Versailles, Felimon.

 

OMG thanks so much! He was very sweet and did a fantastic job. :D

[boopsahoy]

Great review-hope theres more to come :D

[kylenyc]

Thanks for the review. Nice reminder of the Star. Miss her and the crew. Mmmm I can almost the bakery. Great pics too. I like how sharp your Nikon gets on the zoom on Ellis and Intrepid. I just bought another compact superzoom instead of a full size hoping for better results Sigh.

[Lena B]

Thanks for the review! We're in 9238 this February out of NOLA. You're getting me really excited - this will be our first aft balcony.

[shepherdqueen]

Day Four: Our first day in Bermuda! We bought a two day transportation pass for $20 and went with a great family we met here on CC to the Bermuda Aquarium and Zoo. We took the ferry to Hamilton, then a few walk block up a shallow hill to the bus stop. With my mobility issues I handled the walk OK I think. We took the bus towards St. George’s where there was a bus stop directly in front of BAMZ. It was pretty easy to get there. To get back to the Dockyard, we took another bus to St. George’s where it was an easy walk downhill to the ferry. I wish they had a better waiting facility to wait for the ferry in St. George’s – there is not much, all in the sun, with a huge, long line. Thank you “ensiam” for letting Leonard & I tag along!!

 

As for BAMZ, we LOVED IT!! Here are some photos.

 

[shepherdqueen]

More aquarium photos:

 

[shepherdqueen]

 

[shepherdqueen]

[shepherdqueen]

On the way to the bus stop in Hamilton.

 

 

The water in the cove at BAMZ, so crystal clear.

 

 

Did you see the leaf and minnow? Well maybe now you can...

 

[shepherdqueen]

Thanks for the review. Nice reminder of the Star. Miss her and the crew. Mmmm I can almost the bakery. Great pics too. I like how sharp your Nikon gets on the zoom on Ellis and Intrepid. I just bought another compact superzoom instead of a full size hoping for better results Sigh.

 

Hi kylenyc! The Star and her crew were great!! We are happy with this camera! I am still in awe of the 26x zoom.

[shepherdqueen]

Day Five: Our second day in Bermuda and we really wanted to see the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. We took the ferry to Hamilton and a quick taxi ride to BUEI ($10 including tip). The taxi drivers are way more sane then the Berumda bus drivers LOL. The manager at BUEI was a wonderful person who was a very kind and generous person (long story) and we had a great time exploring! Could have spent more time there if I we were up to it.

 

On our way back to the ferry, we had our taxi driver drop us off at The Pickled Onion, where I was on a mission to get a t shirt for a friend. The Pickled Onion is on the second story, and it was a steep, long stairway up. That killed me for the day.

 

Here are some photos of BUEI.

 

[shepherdqueen]

 

I hope to post more tomorrow.