En Vivo-La Estrella Con FlyingPirate-From the Star

[immargaret]

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.

 

Can't wait to hear more about your cruise....

 

Were tender tickets used/needed for PV and Cabo?

 

Is Darwin the CD starting to warm up a bit?

 

Inquiring minds want to know all.

 

:)

[immargaret]

Are jeans now allowed in the dining rooms at dinner time?

 

:)

[judyf]

Can't wait to read all about your cruise!

[Hikini]

Thanks so much for taking the time during your cruise to keep us all aware of what was going on. It was fun to read along.

 

Sorry about the lack of cooperation from them on the CC mtg. I've only been to one CC meeting and it was last September on board the Spirit. They set up a time and a place for us (one of the beautiful meeting rooms) and had a full display of cookies, muffins, juice, coffee and tea, but none of the crew showed up. Which I didn't even think about until afterwards, because I was too busy yacking it up with the CC'ers that I had gotten to know thru the roll call ahead of the cruise. I don't think the crew could have made the meeting any better, as it was really the CC'ers that I wanted to meet.

 

I'm hoping that we can again have a little meet and greet on our next cruise, which will be June 18th on the Star.

 

Again, thanks for taking the time away from your cruise to keep us all up to date!

 

Hikini:D

[immargaret]

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.

 

I hope the house has stopped rocking, and the unpacking is done so you have time to come back and tell us some more tales.....

 

:) Margaret (never could wait patiently)

[RDeagazio]

Laurel-- I loved the post-- especially the part where the window washer got you--LOL !! I needed the laugh especially after dealing with NCL on your next reservations. Those people give me heartburn!!

 

Welcome home and I'll be calling you tomorrow to discuss the outcome to todays fight with our friends at NCL.

[EmJakeBubbie]

Bob: ...spoken like a true RCI fan .... see ya in the Concierge Lounge;)

[flyingpirate]

Hi Kids, I'm back, no longer posting live, but this is what I saved, written live.

 

Friday - Cabo

 

The plan today was to tender in and just play around, maybe snorkel a little....we didn't finish our lazy BOB until 11. Oh well. We did have some fabulous views from both balconies as the ship swung on anchor. Jetskis buzzing and a tall ship, sails furled, whales sounding and dolphins leaping. A lazy grey whale fin up, just hanging out, bein' a whale. Carnival Pride was to one side and HAL Oosterdam to the other, Los Arcos to the bow. Cabo looks stunning for a desert town. I 'll make sure to see it next we cruise Mexico.

 

Finally got an invitation for the CC meeting tomorrow. No apology, just the word rescheduled in bold. In the Star Bar at 11 am.

 

Charlie went to Blue Lagoon, (great burgers, noodles, fried rice, wings) for lunch and I did sailaway from the whirlpool tub, watching our balcony view on the bowcam. :p Most of the rest of the afternoon we explored parts of the ship we hadn't seen yet.

 

5:00 was time for one and all to stop by for a "Pinkacolada", Evan to Kids Club then to casino or dinner. After finally winning, didn't feel the need to play trivia anymore.

 

Dinner was at Soho, lobster night, though we all three had excellent rack of lamb and the service was great.

 

They have a tank with the poor uncooked dinners and a huge heavy realistic foam display lobster closeby. We insisted that the lobster join us at the table. Kerry dressed her up (we had named her Lucy by this point) in an Hermes scarf and put a glass of Merlot in her claw. Many silly photos ensued, especially since Charlie was wearing his lobster print pants.

 

I was able to talk the hostess into letting us take the lobster home over night as long as she was back by 5pm the next day. She rode on Charlie's walker all over the ship that night, triple takes everywhere :D:D "is it real" "did you catch it in Cabo" "was that your dinner" "where did you buy/get that" "isn't that the lobster from Soho, how'd you get it" great silly fun.Charlie felt the need to reassure all of the adults as they enevitibly stared, "No, it's not real." He seemed to make a habit of remaining strangely quiet about Lucy's actual state when around any kids...

 

Natasha had left an invitation to the Chocolate Buffet for 11pm. It was early entry for AA, we were the first in and I had plenty of time to photograph the gorgeous creations undisturbed, while Charlie collected treats. Gen & Vicki joined us. Hey, early chocolate is early chocolate! We then went back to the cabin and enjoyed the treats the butler left and posed the lobster for more pics with the chocolate. For you chocoholics the buffet is Friday 11:30pm-12:30.

 

We're moving pretty fast again, 20.3 kts wind 20kts from NW, seas allegedly moderate. We really do feel the motion here in the front corner and can see the pitching at the bow. We were doing 15-17 between the ports. Winds have been 6-16 throughout. But the sky is very black and the stars are so bright you can actually see their tempurature. Almost 1am, should be a howling rain in this wind :eek:

 

Sea Saturday

 

"GoodMorningDisisChrisdeButlercalling" the fellow says as he is standing in my living room. He has discretely entered, drawn the bedroom drapes, laid out breakfafast and is calling to tell us it's ready.

 

Cruise Critic meeting in the Star Bar now! Melissa (Melika0914**) & Ice, Chris (Nilla) & Paul, Laurel (Flyingpirate) & Charlie (Timezarrow), Jim & Jean (Beachkeefes), Lisa (Vegas-Cruiser?), Gen, Vicki, Matt, Margean and Irv. Irv was a lovely gentleman who received an invitation in error an had a good time!

 

No sign, no staff, but there was coffee, tea, juice and pastries and croissant almost where we wouldn't find it. Joanne Hoadly is the NCL contact and Vicki is the group service contact onboard.

 

Another scavenger hunt with Chris, Gen & Vicki, this time we lost horribly.

 

My favorite conversation of the afternoon, total stranger. "I have a balcony cabin, how about you" "I have a two balcony cabin" "Two, I din'd see those listed, 'zat onna those pennouses?" "Sort of, it's called the owners suite" "wow, you own the boat, it's real nice" "uh, no, it just a level of accomodation" " hey, guys, this broad owns the boat" "uh, no...gotta go now" walking briskly away as his friends came over.

 

Evan went to the KC pajama party.Dinner at Cagneys again, our favorite Loredana is moving to the Dawn 4-16, we'll miss her on our trip, but promised to say hi to her boyfriend, a sous chef. Double lamb chops were superb.

 

A late night in the casino and home to pack at 11, nowhere enough time to stuff four bags. The porter was patiently waiting outside the door at 1:15.

Charlie went to bed, but I was so wound up I decided to stay up all night and watch us sail into LA.

 

(One more followup post later with disembark and final views in real time)

[judyf]

Thanks for the update. SOunds like a wonderfull cruise.

[immargaret]

Thanks for a great read....can't wait to hear the rest.

 

:)

[marilynd]

Thanks for the continuing review.

 

Sounds like your CC meeting went well. You did get the refreshments. Did members of your group eat the refreshments? Sorry that no staff attended.

 

Very funny about your owning the ship because you are in the Owner's Suite.

 

Just 22 days until my cruise on the Star.

 

 

Marilyn

[flyingpirate]

Margaret -

 

No jeans after 5 in any of the dining rooms or restaurants, save the buffet.

 

There seemed to be no info in the Freestyle, (or the Freesail, Freedaily, Freeboard, Freeship as Kerry & Evan referred to it), about tender tix at PV or Cabo. When we tendered, fol. I even had one all to myself going into PV.

 

Hate to tell you, but Darrin, the CD is one of the most annoying people to ever walk the earth. He seems to have taken charm lessons from a 70's DJ.

However, on the brighter side, the rest of the CD staff is sharp, professional, and fun. Watch for 6'7" Shaun, new just this week, Gemma, charming and delightful and Sia.

 

MN - The penthouses have the French soaps and upgraded bathrooms linens and nice robes. The two outer suites have bulkhead doors and it appears that the inner ones have glass, but it was hard to see over two dividers, even for a nosey Parker like me.The bulkhead doors are covered inside by a nice matching wooden door. They never closed the outer door until last sea day when it was cold and windy, so we could always have access to the bow balc. If you want to leave your door open,it's lovely but make sure it's closed at 1am or it will rain in your cabin.

 

Judy - wash day is Mazatlan, $25. and you get it back on the last sea day.

 

Marilyn - which cabin do you have on 9? I saw 9506, which was the cabin we had originally reserved for our Alaska 9-17. It's beautiful, but we wanted to stick with the larger 10506, so we changed the date to 9-10 and were still able to get the AA/AC/BB trio.

 

CruisinB - Tequila! No no no. RUM, mon!

 

Okay, there are the answers, back in a bit with the closing.

 

 

[judyf]

Thanks! Can't wait to read the rest.

[marilynd]

Laurel: Thanks for answering all of our questions. I am in 9506? Is it nice? How much smaller is it than the AA you were in?

 

We are in two insides on deck 9 and a BA balcony. Trying to get my parents to move to the ajoining AC but they don't want to have a front facing balcony?

 

Marilyn

[dr.d]

Thanks so much for sharing the cruise experience with us. Love your artisitic expression and humor!

 

We sail on the 21st and can't wait!

 

Thanks,

 

Donna

[vegas cruisers]

Hi Laurel,

Thanks so much sending me the cc invite. I wish I could have stayed longer, I had to meet my friends at the gym. I enjoyed reading your review, and I agree with most of what you said, especially the CD being a bit too happy:-) Take care,

Lisa

[little britain]

No sign, no staff, but there was coffee, tea, juice and pastries and croissant almost where we wouldn't find it. Joanne Hoadly is the NCL contact and Vicki is the group service contact onboard.

Great - we have an 'on board' name of some one to approach and explain [politely] what level of service we expect - especially as it has been provided before!

Can I just say many thanks for your great 'blog' - it has been interesting to read! We'll be in Beverly Hills after the cruise so will be asking you for some good restaurant suggestions please..?!

[flyingpirate]

LB -

 

Yes, to confirm, that's Vicki, in group services, I think her extension is 10225.

 

If anyone in your group has concierge service, it would be a boon if they could ask Natasha to check on the status of the meet. She's wonderful.

 

When will you be in BH, what do you like to eat, will there be a group, or just the two of you, moderate, pricey or outrageous? Do you want a famous or trendy place, want to see celebs? The more infor you give me, the better I can suggest! How long will you be in LA, where are you staying?

 

Bob - Tell RCI to get me a butler and I'm there! I'll stop cruising NCL when you can find me better bang for buck. My owner's suite dollars would barely get me a balcony on Crystal or Radisson and I'd have to cruise with all those snotty Beverly Hills people :D

 

I hope the battle was well fought, my trusted knight. Your lands and serfs have been doubled, and I create you Lord of Visitation to Worldy Realms. [kneel,tap,tap]

 

Marilyn - 9506 is lovely, done in shades of peach and yellow, very feminine. It's the Renior Suite, hence, very French. Single wood door entry, powder room to the left, LR area ahead with slider to balc beyond. Right is bar area on wall. (10506 has DR here) Dining table is in open area near second slider. (10506 has corner bar here) Balc has teak table with 4 and one deck chair. (If you smoke, the front corner by the bathroom window is the spot)

 

Bedroom is behind sliding wood and glass doors, desk, chair and bed, bath to the left (10506 also has a couch) lovely blue tiled master bath, closet and dressing, both well equipped, but on a smaller scale than 10506.

NCL's numbers are 750 v 571 sf. The bowbalc on 9 is slightly larger. I'll bet your butler is better :D

 

If your folks are happy where they are, let them be, AA courtesy will be happily extended to your party by the lovely Natasha automatically.

 

Anyhow....to wrap it all up

 

I did stay up all night trying to enjoy every last erg of the cruise, the suite, everything, I so didn't want it to end. We straightened up the room for photos and Charlie finally went to bed around 3. I took more pictures, nibbled on evening pastries & fruit, watched the navigation channel on TV and waited for dawn. It seemed hours to sail the last 15 kts.

 

Finally heard the Channel Light honking, and it's green flash, and a snake slither back into San Pedro, past the breakwater, so slow it was almost in reverse. We docked culo a culo with the Island Princess as the morning light spread over the penninsula.

 

The four of us had our last fabulous breakfast and waited until the last possible moment to leave. (Sorry about that, Tom & Nada, but we told 'em you were coming and that you are special pals of ours as well as CCrs)

 

We called Natasha, told he we we ready to leave, she escorted us off, once again shoving aside the waiting throngs. Our luggage was waiting in a sectioned off guarded area, a porter materialized, we were in the car, on the road in a flash. Almost too fast. Back on the 405, whisked right in to the realworld. Whew!

 

The dog was thrilled to see us. Tuxedo stealing son was happy, too.

 

###end of narrative###

 

Some times I wonder if we were all on the same ship when we get back and comment......

 

This was our second cruise with NCL, or maybe our first with NCL, as our first was with NCLA, and I can say that this one was just as great, but in every different way.

 

I found the Star to be beautiful, inside and out (PoAm was front ugly & garish in interior decor), clean and under constant maintenance. I was even surprised one morning to find a man on my balcony, varnishing.

 

The staff attentive and courteous, shrimp everywhere, coffee-cappucino-juices-iced tea n/c, sodas reasonable, embark and disembark completed in minutes.

 

BUT! The refrigerator in our suite didn't close properly and the portable phone broke after four days and was never fixed, even though we asked. They didn't have the birthday package in the room for our guests, nor was our CC meeting arranged. There was no Murder Mystery Dinner. NCL messed up the reservations before we left, causing all sorts of aggravation for TA Fabuloso. We didn't get a single towel animal or mints on our pillows..

 

So, I suppose, our trip should have been 'ruined" and we should ask NCL for "compensation" or never travel with them again, but, unfortunately, we have two more cruises reserved and paid for and are planning more with them. Oh woe is us! :D

 

There was a water shut-off one day for about three hours, midday, cabins only. People were actually grousing around talking about getting credit for the inconvenience :eek:

 

Observation - the first things to sell out in the Galleria are potato chips and condoms.

 

Oh, and that photo of Evan in PV on the burro that I was going to try to get from the Carnival photographer? Guess what I found the last day of the cruise on the photo gallery wall on deck 7!

 

It will be posted with the rest of our pix in the next few days, still editing lobsters!

 

Thanks for listening, I hope you've enjoyed our travels.

 

LC

"Always Educational, Often Entertaining"

[Big Al B.]

I will now spend the rest of the evening contemplating on all the possible links between potato chips and condoms :p. See ya' in a month or so when you come to our end of the country.

[marilynd]

Thanks Laurel: Reading about the AA Owners Suite makes me really anxious for my vacation this summer on the Star. Glad to hear that some of the AA perks can extend to my parents.

 

Thanks for the review, just 3 weeks until I am on the Star in an AE Penthouse aft, unless I can swing an upsell to 9506 which is still open.

 

Don't you just hate the having to get off the ship. It does seem less painful when another cruise is booked.

 

Great review !!! Looking forward to your pictures.

[AmyinVail]

Laurel,

 

Now you see why the butler has me totally and completely loyal to NCL!

 

You are a riot and I love hearing your commentary!

 

A

[little britain]

LB -

 

Yes, to confirm, that's Vicki, in group services, I think her extension is 10225.

 

If anyone in your group has concierge service, it would be a boon if they could ask Natasha to check on the status of the meet. She's wonderful.

 

When will you be in BH, what do you like to eat, will there be a group, or just the two of you, moderate, pricey or outrageous? Do you want a famous or trendy place, want to see celebs? The more infor you give me, the better I can suggest! How long will you be in LA, where are you staying?

Laurel - thanks for being SO helpful - yes - most of our CC group are on Deck 11 so we do have the benefits of the Concierge. I'll definitely be in touch with her and Vicky! We have 52 on our roll call for next week - wonder how many will show:cool: . Anyway, in LA we are staying at the Beverly Hilton which I understand is only a few blocks from Rodeo and Century City [so that is the shopping sorted!]. As for restaurants - I guess somewhere where we could go for a bit of celeb spotting ....and are there any good rooftop bars to go for an evening sundowner with views?

Cheers! Lil Britain

[lucky-upsell]

To the FlyingPirate,

 

First I would like to thank you for all of the great information, insight, comments, experiences, etc.

 

We are in the same room in a couple of weeks. We actually were very lucky in getting the room as when I talked to the upsell desk, they had just started working our dates and the room kept disappearing from the list. I am at least under the impression that I saved a ton of money.

 

Anyway, if you have any other hints or comments about the room, please post them. The information about the 1am down pour was great. Also about the service and even where the furnature was great. BTW, how did you get the VIP service when you arrived? Did you tip the butler, etc. separately that were special to your (our) room? Any other suggestions would be greatly apprieciated and again, thank you very much for staying in touch with us even after your adventure is over.

[cruisingfromMN]

Margaret -

 

No jeans after 5 in any of the dining rooms or restaurants, save the buffet.

 

There seemed to be no info in the Freestyle, (or the Freesail, Freedaily, Freeboard, Freeship as Kerry & Evan referred to it), about tender tix at PV or Cabo. When we tendered, fol. I even had one all to myself going into PV.

 

Hate to tell you, but Darrin, the CD is one of the most annoying people to ever walk the earth. He seems to have taken charm lessons from a 70's DJ.

However, on the brighter side, the rest of the CD staff is sharp, professional, and fun. Watch for 6'7" Shaun, new just this week, Gemma, charming and delightful and Sia.

 

MN - The penthouses have the French soaps and upgraded bathrooms linens and nice robes. The two outer suites have bulkhead doors and it appears that the inner ones have glass, but it was hard to see over two dividers, even for a nosey Parker like me.The bulkhead doors are covered inside by a nice matching wooden door. They never closed the outer door until last sea day when it was cold and windy, so we could always have access to the bow balc. If you want to leave your door open,it's lovely but make sure it's closed at 1am or it will rain in your cabin.

 

Judy - wash day is Mazatlan, $25. and you get it back on the last sea day.

 

Marilyn - which cabin do you have on 9? I saw 9506, which was the cabin we had originally reserved for our Alaska 9-17. It's beautiful, but we wanted to stick with the larger 10506, so we changed the date to 9-10 and were still able to get the AA/AC/BB trio.

 

CruisinB - Tequila! No no no. RUM, mon!

 

Okay, there are the answers, back in a bit with the closing.

 

 

 

Thanks for your reply. So, you were in a Owner's Suite on the "corners", correct? We are looking at the AC's sandwiched between the Owner's Suites and here is our important criteria:

French Toiletries

Upgraded Bathroom

Sliding Glass Balcony Doors

 

I couldn't tell from your reply if it was an upgraded bathroom or upgraded bathroom linens. And, it sounds like you think that the door to the balcony is a sliding glass door and the steel metal ones are on the Owner's Suite to the front balcony. Did I understand all of this correctly? Thanks so much.

[flyingpirate]

Please email backchannel for info.

 

smugglersblues at flyingpirate.com

 

Do you have a rental car? How long are you here? Two of you or more?