En Vivo-La Estrella Con FlyingPirate-From the Star

[flyingpirate]

Hi Kids!

Here we are, Monday day two at sea on the Star. I've taken the laptop out to the front balcony and am typing away as we sail east into the morning sun. The Pacific is heavenly deep blue and glassy and the sky is cerulean with bits of fleece. 76 degrees at noon.

 

As you may remember, this trip was a birthday/Christmas gift for my best friend Kerry and her 6 year old Evan, my goddaughter. It was a surprise, they had no idea where we were going or that it was a cruise.We had Kerry blindfolded in the limo and removed it when we pulled up to the ship. She sputtered and screamed and finally thought to ask where we were going! Hee HEE! They were VERY surprised and thrilled. A true fait accompli, a secret well kept by all for 2 months.

 

Embarkation was unbelievable, walked in, spent 2 minutes at the VIP checkin, concierge came and took us past the line, pushed aside everyone already waiting on the gangway (I felt a little bad about that, but only for a moment) commandeered an elevator and faster than your Bistro waiter can say un, deux, trois, voila!, we were in the cabin.

 

N-I-C-E room. Picasso Suite. A little garish, but not as bad as it could be, the AC next door has zebra stripe decor. Lots of space, though, more than enough. The bathroom/closet/dressing area is the size of an inside cabin. The two balconies are fabulous, the front is for sun and cocktails and yelling "I'm king of the world" and the side is for more civilized pursuits, like breakfast and smoking . Surprisingly, wind is minimal on the front, perhaps due to the slower speed. (We have the same cabin on the Dawn in March, we'll compare)

 

Many bad Picasso repros, we've already redecorated by hanging a Superman flag over one and a Jolly Roger over another, ah, so much mo bettah!

 

Cabin attendants Roberto and Rommel (accent on the second syllable) are superb, butler Chris not quite so. We've had to ask for things more than once before requests are fulfilled and he is mostly harried. Concierge Natasha is delightful and quite helpful.

 

Did sailaway on the front balcony, stayed til we almost reached the lighthouse. Saturday night we ate at Bistro, food was good, service was poor. Afternoon snack was canapes, caviar ( not beluga but still properly served), and shrimp. Evening snack what appeared to be petits fours but were really chocolate covered canteloupe, banana, pineapple, etc. Heavenly. No pillow chocolate, no pillow animal, must be because of first day.

 

Charlie and I went down for the CC meeting on Sunday and met Chris (Nilla) and her boyfriend Paul, Gen (GMAnderson) and her friend Vicki and....no one else on the roll call of 36, count 'em 36, showed up! Just the six of us, which became 5 when Paul went for sushi lessons. Perhaps a good thing, as NCL, despite a month of corresponcence with passenger courtesy, had not set up the meet...no sign, no refreshments, no record of us at all. Oooh, is someone gonna hear from me...........

 

We went back to the room, blendered up foo foo's (asked butler for paper umbrellas) all early afternon, then we four girls had a blast at the scavengeer hunt, losing by only 1 point (the winnners cheated, yeah, that's it). Evan has discovered the Kids Club and it's like peeling wallpaper off the wall trying to get her out of there.

 

Chris and Paul stopped up for late afternoon drinks and our butler saw we had guests and brought us an extra tray of goodies, fois gras. Hate the stuff myself, so Paul made out like a bandit and took home a doggie tray. Sunday night was formal night, lobster night, ate at Versailles, won't do that again. Service was fine, food....feh. Casino'd a little, ran into Gen and Vicki, and we all went up and exercised the blender some more.

Evening snack was juicy tuxedo strawberries.

 

It's now Monday night, this laptop has been on all day and it's taken that long to get this much. I'll come back and pick up with Monday when we get back from Manzanillo tomorrow.

 

Going through a little bit of withdrawl, not reading the boards.............

[cruisingfromMN]

Great fun reading your daily log and will look forward to hearing more. We'll be on the Star in April!

 

In the past, when I have coordinated "meet and greet" parties, there was a letter in our room upon boarding that requested that I call and confirm. Was there anything like that? I also received an email confirmation weeks before the trip. Did you get that? I ask because our roll call is planning to meet in April and it has been scheduled for the second sea day.

 

Have a great time!!!!

 

In Versailles, request Eby and tell him, his Minnesota friends say "hi".

 

In Aqua, request Lusiana and Valentina and say the same to them too.

 

They will take good care of you!

[tuffy88]

My wife & I are on the 2/13/06 cruise on the Star. Look forward to your daily reports. Thanks.

 

Charles & Antoinette

 

2-96 Sovereiggn of the Seas

2-97 Norwegian Crown

2-98 Monarch of the Seas

2-02 Norwegian Wind

2-03 Norwegian Sun

2-04 Norwegian Sky

3-05 Norwegian Spirit

2-06 Norwegian Star

[marilynd]

Thanks for posting the daily reports on your cruise. I am booked on the Star twice this year. Mexican Riviera as you are on March 1 and then again in July for Alaska.

 

In July I also have an Owners Suite AA on deck 9. Gets me excited reading your discription of the suite.

 

I was sorry to hear about your CC meeting. It was terrible to hear that your CC meeting was not recognized by NCL. No excuse for that.

 

I am in charge or organizing the CC meeting on both of my Star cruises. I am very anxious to hear what feed back you get from the Star passenger courtesy people.

 

I set up CC meetings on two of my recent voyages on the Jewel. We had the sign, the refreshments and the visit by the officers and CD of the ship. I have not yet contacted the passenger courtesy officer on the Star, when I contact her, I think I will use your example of what wasn't done for you as a comparison to what was done by NCL for my fellow cruisers and myself on the Jewel.

 

Excited to read your installment tomorrow.

 

Marilyn

[Cosmopolitan]

Sounds wonderful!

 

Keep posting:)

[little britain]

I was sorry to hear about your CC meeting. It was terrible to hear that your CC meeting was not recognized by NCL. No excuse for that.

 

I am in charge or organizing the CC meeting on both of my Star cruises. I am very anxious to hear what feed back you get from the Star passenger courtesy people.

 

I set up CC meetings on two of my recent voyages on the Jewel. We had the sign, the refreshments and the visit by the officers and CD of the ship. I have not yet contacted the passenger courtesy officer on the Star, when I contact her, I think I will use your example of what wasn't done for you as a comparison to what was done by NCL for my fellow cruisers and myself on the Jewel.

 

Marilyn - I have arranged ours on the Star on the Feb 13th sailing - NCL have told us a venue but have made it very clear that there is no food or drink supplied. :( I was told that the CD 'usually attends' and when I wrote telling her that there are now 52 in our CC group - so did that warrent any of the Big Guys turning up [and any food and drink!] I have received no reply!!!!

So interested to read your comments about the Jewel and the totally different experience you had. I would push that and hope that you will get better luck [and service!] to what we are expecting....! Perhaps we will be surprised though .....especially if they are reading thse comments!

Flying Pirate - looking forward to the next installment!

[filomene]

Since you are so generous in your day to day cruise to take the time to post your impressions, let me at least take the time to say many many thank-yous from Quebec Canada.

 

Have a great day and I do so look forward to your posts. Nothing beats the live action commentaries.

 

Au revoir

Filomene:cool:

[judyf]

I'm setting up our cruise meet and greet on the Star and I hope we get a better response from NCL. We had a great meet and greet on the Dawn. The CD was there and the big brass too. It was really nice meeting everyone.

 

I will keep e-mailing the Star to make sure NCL has it all set up. I just hope I get a better response form our roll call. cruisingfrommn I know will be there but not too many others have really confirmed. Hope we have more then 6!

 

Thanks so much for the review of you day on the Star. It's so great to read it keep posting when you can!

 

Thanks

[dgund]

Thanks so much for taking the time to post while on your cruise. It means alot to us back here on land.

[marilynd]

I will take just one small moment to respond to what little britain has inquired about our CC meetings on the Jewel. I emailed the passenger courtesy person on the Jewel and she set up the Star bar for us on the second morning out. On both cruises NCL had a sign outside the meeting marking it as a "private function for Cruise Critic members". Muffins, orange juice and coffee was furnished for us and the CD and the Big Brass attended giving us their business cards with their private ship extension numbers.

 

I hope that the Star will provide the same service for my upcoming cruises about the ship. On my March 1 cruise we now have almost 60 people who are interested in meeting. I hope that is a big enough group two warrent the visit of the CD.

 

flying pirate: Sorry from detracting from your onboard review. I am very interested in hearing about your cruise. Just 27 days until I board the Star myself.

[tomnada]

Hi Laurel

 

Tom and Nada here, the ones who will be occupying 10506 on your departure. We have arrived in California (a mite early..wife wants to shop on Rodeo drive....I think pictures will have to do!). Thankyou for giving us the "scoop" as you live it. Not sure the comments have been that good about the restaurant services and food...hope there is an improvement by the time we board. Most dissappointed, on the CC meeting and like others hope the ships company takes some direction from the comments for ours on the 6th .

Sure hope everything else is working out well for you...any messages please leave a note with the Butler or if you can in the room

 

Many many thanks

 

Tom and Nada arrived in California from Prince George BC

[little britain]

...if you get a spare minute I'd appreciate if you could drop by the main desk and just confirm that it is possible to book the $79 Honeymoon/Anniversary package once you are on board?

 

Many thanks - and eagerly awaiting the photos of the crew in their pool...!

[little britain]

..the lady to contact is Jennifer Hoadley - jhoadley@ncl.com

Good luck - would be interested to see what response you get!!!!:cool:

[EmJakeBubbie]

looking forward to additional "live" updates.

[flyingpirate]

Yo Ho Mateys!

First of all, thanks for all your thanks and good wishes, it's almost like having more CC'rs along. It's also great fun running into the others all over the ship. It's our boat with a couple of thousand other strangers along for the tideride ......

 

As I write this at midnight, we are headed due west to CSL, wind 20 kts across the bow and there are many laughing happy crewmembers in the darkened jacuzzis, hoo hoo. A good time appears to be being had by all.

I did send an email to the passenger services lady at corporate,with whom I had been corresponding, expressing extreme dismay at her failure and the general dropping of the ball by NCL on our meet. Shortly thereafter, I heard from group services asking when they could reschedule it for us, hm they allege that it will be last sea day , 11am in the Star Bar. She also said they would sent printed invites with apologies. I haven't seen anything 2 days later. Judging by past performance, I left messages for all than I had cabin nos. or last names.....

 

LB - Yes you can book the Anniversary package onboard, just speak to someone at the reception desk when you board.

 

Tom & Nada - Have a great time in LA, hope the weather is holding out for you, it's been a little on the chilly side at night. But what you have there, is exactly what the weather is like here in Mexico right now. It is not hot. 65-74 days. Make sure you have sweatshirts or jackets for the balconies in the afternoon and evenings and while underweigh. I'm leaving your note with Roberto, the steward.

 

I took several photos of the crew sunbathing today in Mazatlan. Hope to add more for the enjoyment of all.

 

Allright, so where were we -- it was Monday night, we were hitting Manzanillo the next day, we had gotten up to Sunday night - okay, I think we're spacio-temporally coordinated

 

Monday SeaDay

 

Evan was in Kids most of the day, we're almost having to bribe her out of there. Her mantra is kidsclubkidsclub. She loved the kids pool until a diaperless pooper did it and Daddy walked away without telling anyone. An proudly justified it because he'd paid his fare......

 

Discovered the casino. ATM with miles. Love it. I've been playing the slots and a game, can't recall the name but it looks like a wheel of fortune with bills in it, bet the bill to come up. I've been a lucky guesser.

 

Discovered the Galleria. Big danger Will Robinson. Sweatshirt, sport jacket, diecast model of the ship, mugs, nail board, orca purse for Evan. Despite constant exhortation, I will not buy jewelery on the ship

 

Played trivia game in RedLionPub, with Gen & Vicki, we lost by 3 points.

 

No afternoon snack today, Chris was helping with the Captain's party and was vivibly vibrating and had the look of a panic'd racehorse.

 

Our plan had been to go to the Captain's cocktail party because I wanted Evan to meet him and get a pcture, but Kids Club reared it's ugly head. KC was at 7, the party at 7:15, she would have to dress up, then change to playwear and, heaven forbid, miss 15 min. of KC. So she went, we scrubbed it and the 3 of us ordered room service from Endless Summer. Good food. Great dessert.

 

We went to see the comedian, Dave Hennen(sp?) He had a few good deliveries, but most of his material came from deep in the vaudeville trunk.

Tuesday Manzanillo Looked very uninteresting from the ship and we had nothing planned, so we stayed aboard.

 

Evan & played Secret Agent for a little while, back and forth, up and down. We may have looked silly to onlookers if I hadn't turned on our Cloak of Invisibility. We finally tracked down the Evil Vizier and I took her to Kids Club.

 

Played trivia at the RedLion Pub lost by 1 point to septugenarians. We now they cheated, no way they could have known the answer ws Elton John.

Afternoon snack was several cheeses and crackers andgrapes and melonslices.

 

Dinner at Gatsby's was excllent in every way. The servers, Loredana and Sanya were beyond friedly and attentive and every morsel of food was perfect.

 

Evening treat was chocolate ganache logs with sugar flowers.

 

Wednesday PV

 

Charlie, Kerry and Evan hopped an early tender for the Dophin Swim at SeaLife Park (not afilliated with the ship) while I remained aboard, fighting off the remainder of a migraine attack the night before.

 

Evan got her picture taken by hte ship photographer with a colorful sombrero an a burro and off they went. It wasn't until later until they realized that the photog was from the Carnival Pride, not our ship!

 

By early afternoon, the sight of the tenders going back and forth was driving me crazy so I finally gave in and went down to the local mercado, 4 miles south of the pier.

 

In two hours bought at incredible prices: an Acapulco formal for Charlie, a glass iguana, a fish astry, some excellent polished pewter trays and dishes, an embroidered dress, an eight foot burgundy braided leather bullwhip,(I have an Indiana Jones complex) a few tee shirts, a new hat, an outfit for my nephew and new cross and chain for Evan.

 

Evan had lost her cross the second day and she and Kerry retraced their steps and stopped at lost and found every day. Evan was devastated, as it was a gift from her GaGa. I stopped at every jeweler unitl I found a cross and chain that matched as closely as I remembered, as well as strong. Needless to say, before I saw them that afternoon, K & E stopped at l &f again and the necklace had been there all along, found in the elevator near Kids Club! Well, it was a good match and now, she has a "sports" cross. We have decided however, that she gets a Jewish star at 10, too.

 

Los Tres Gringos had a great time at the dolphins, the photos show such joy on their faces. They paid taxi fare of 30. one way and 15. back. Don't be that gringo!Ask before you go.

 

Me, I had the locals believing that I was a Mexican from Los Angeles! Hee Hee.

 

Kerry and I went to trivia in RedLion and lost again by one point, grrrrrr.

We had room service dinner from La Trattoria, carpaccio & mista salad excellent, calamari fair, chick parmesean, beef medallions and desserts good.

 

Sweet dreams were shell shaped hazelnut chocolates with decorative marzipan roses.

 

Thursday Mazatlan

 

Today I was still in migraine residual hell, no Randi's Happy Horses, C,K & E abandoned the plans while I slept. I think the SuperGringos may have feared further pillage by locals without protection. They had lunch in Versailles and Charlie went to Royal Spa for the two hour four hand massage and Kerry went shopping for more clothes for Evan. Day 5 and the child has gone through 12 outfits.

 

Finally won the trivia contest!

 

Dinner at Teppanyaki, Service was good, food was bad Benihana imitation. Thick and too much tofu miso, tea was hot waster, fried rice was risotto asked for white, asked for rare was overdone. Coconut ice cream was excellent..

 

I picked Evan up from KC after dinner and Mango, Junkyardand Jellyfish, the youth counselors told me that they had been reading Cruise Critics earlier in the day and they saw that someone was posting about Evan. Guess who? They are great girls who fabulously entertain the children, so much so, they don't want to leave. They read CC to answer OUR questions. How considerate is that? Thanks, KidKeepers! We love you!

 

Treats were cakey petits fours and mini french pastries, Cha was kind enough to leave me one!

 

Right then, it's now almost 3 am, I thnk we're all caught up. No I havn't been doing this since midnight, I come and go.

 

Oh, one more thing,something no one has mentioned in all the reviewsof the AAs and ACs on the front of the Star and I would assume the others in this class vessel - it rains at night.

 

I was lying on the front balcony about one am peacefullyl ooking at the stars and heard a loud PSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHTTTTTT and suddenly it was pouring. First I was shocked as I became soaked, then I started to laugh when i realized it was the automatic windowwashing system for the bridge windows. It WAS hilarious and it does get very wet out there.

 

So tomorrow, we're in Cabo for a short time, I'm going to tender in andtry to get a line on the PV photo from the Carnival photographer.

 

I'm missing a lot of stuff, Charlie and Kerry will fill me in tomorrow, and I will do the same.

 

Buenos Noches,Amigos

Laurel

[immargaret]

Hi Laurel,

 

Sounds like your enjoying yourself, even with a bit of migraine edging in. I can't wait to see your photos. Sorry you missed doing Randi's, she sounds awsome.

 

Keep writing...

 

:)

[CruiseDiva1]

What great reviews. Thank you for them. (HA HA HA) am still laughing about you and the window washing system. Sound like something that would happen to me. Sure hope it doesn't happen again on the Dawn. Keep up the fabulous work. Looking forward to meeting you at the MEET & GREET in March.

[Big Al B.]

Well, at least now you'll know what is happening if you hear a "woo hooo hooo" from under your balcony on the Dawn :p. Thanks for the great review and the heads up. Looking forward to meeting you next month.

[little britain]

I did send an email to the passenger services lady at corporate,with whom I had been corresponding, expressing extreme dismay at her failure and the general dropping of the ball by NCL on our meet. Shortly thereafter, I heard from group services asking when they could reschedule it for us, hm they allege that it will be last sea day , 11am in the Star Bar. She also said they would sent printed invites with apologies. I haven't seen anything 2 days later. Judging by past performance, I left messages for all than I had cabin nos. or last names.....

 

LB - Yes you can book the Anniversary package onboard, just speak to someone at the reception desk when you board.

 

Laurel -many thanks for checking on the Anniv package for me! Just to ask, is it Jennifer Hoadley who you have been liasing with, so we can all send an email saying "Laurel says that you laid on food and drink and the ships crew dressed in togas for her CC Party...." and see if we get the same deal! Ok - the bit about the crew in togas is perhaps a bit of wishful thinking!

 

Great Blog - looking forward to hearing about Cabo

[cruisingfromMN]

Hi Flying Pirate,

Love your updates! Does the Penthouse in the front of the ship have a sliding glass door or one of those heavy metal type? Can you leave it open at night during sleeping? Do you get the French soaps or just the regular stuff?

[Cruisinbunnies]

So,

Have you guys started in on the tequila? You know that there will have to be a couple of shots between us on the Dawn next month.

 

 

Glad to hear that you are having a good time! Keep the updates coming!

 

STAY DRY!:D

[cruisingfromMN]

Sorry but I have another question...

 

Is the bathroom an upgraded one or the standard?

[marilynd]

Thanks for the great review. It is fun to read about your cruise as it is happening. I admire you for doing it. I tried to do the same thing on my last cruise on the Jewel and the writing everyday took a lot of dedication.

 

Glad to hear that you voiced your opinion to the passenger courtesy person on the Star. You should have gotten better treatment from the ship. I also am curious if it is Jennifer Hoadley that you spoke with onboard the Star.

We have a meeting schedule in the Star bar on the first full day of our cruise.

Hopefully you will be the trend setting for the rest of us with CC meetings scheduled on our cruises.

 

Thanks for the heads up about the window washing maching across the bow. I will remember that when I am in the Owners Suite on the Star in Alaska. Very funny, though probably not that funny to you.

 

Just 25 more days until I am on the Star.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

 

Marilyn

[judyf]

Thanks so much for taking the time to post during your cruise. It's like we are there with you.

 

If you notice what day NCL has the bag of wash deal and how much it is, that would be much appreicated.

 

Thanks

[flyingpirate]

Yah, we had to be dragged off kicking and screaming..........

 

Let me finish unpacking and I'll come back and tell some more tales.

 

Wow, the house is rocking. :p Must be that 6 kt wind over the porch.