Live from the Star - 2/13 cruise!

[little britain]

Well. actually 'live' from an internet cafe in Puerto Vallerta!

I thought I'd do a quick post on how we are finding the ship and to comment on a few items that were raised by previous travellers!

• Boarding - got to the pier at 11.55, lots of porters to take our luggage and were on board by 12.3-
  
• The ship is spotless, not a mark or scratch anywhere. The crew are without exception all polite, happy and smiley!
  
• We are in AF - nice room, good sized balcony and bathroom
  
• The food has been the best of any cruise we have been on. Longest we waited was 2 mins to get a window seat in Versailles. Now the girl knows what table we like and she tries her hardest to make sure we get it!
  
• Speciality restaurants - so far we have only eaten in the Bistro- that chocolate fondu is to die for!
  
• Cruise critic party - yes we got coffee, juice and danishes - no sign of the CD but a great turnout by the Zamboni team - 29 of us and we just taked for 2 hours....! [read our rollcall to understand the Zamboni connection!]
  
• Seen whales and tons of dolphins so far

I'll try and sneak away from DH tomorrow in Maz or in CSL so if you have any questions I'll try and answer them.

 

In summary - the best cruise so far! [apart from the fact that I got knocked over by a wave yesterday in Manz and lost my sunglasses - so somewhere there is a dolphin swimming round in my Gucci's!]

[cruisingfromMN]

Well. actually 'live' from an internet cafe in Puerto Vallerta!

I thought I'd do a quick post on how we are finding the ship and to comment on a few items that were raised by previous travellers!

• Boarding - got to the pier at 11.55, lots of porters to take our luggage and were on board by 12.3-
  
• The ship is spotless, not a mark or scratch anywhere. The crew are without exception all polite, happy and smiley!
  
• We are in AF - nice room, good sized balcony and bathroom
  
• The food has been the best of any cruise we have been on. Longest we waited was 2 mins to get a window seat in Versailles. Now the girl knows what table we like and she tries her hardest to make sure we get it!
  
• Speciality restaurants - so far we have only eaten in the Bistro- that chocolate fondu is to die for!
  
• Cruise critic party - yes we got coffee, juice and danishes - no sign of the CD but a great turnout by the Zamboni team - 29 of us and we just taked for 2 hours....! [read our rollcall to understand the Zamboni connection!]
  
• Seen whales and tons of dolphins so far

I'll try and sneak away from DH tomorrow in Maz or in CSL so if you have any questions I'll try and answer them.

 

In summary - the best cruise so far! [apart from the fact that I got knocked over by a wave yesterday in Manz and lost my sunglasses - so somewhere there is a dolphin swimming round in my Gucci's!]

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to post. We'll be on the Star on April 10th so appreciate hearing everything we can. So, no officers showed for the CC party either? Have a great time.

[7SeasLover]

If you like that table and prefer a specific time, they will reserve it for you. They did for us on an Alaska cruise. Were were in a Penthouse, but I don't know if that matters. I think if you have a set time and table, they will reserver it.

 

We were on the Star in September, and loved her!

[viva01]

Thanks for the great post! We sail on the STAR in 4 days:D CAN'T WAIT!!

 

~Val

[melika091900]

Well. actually 'live' from an internet cafe in Puerto Vallerta!

I thought I'd do a quick post on how we are finding the ship and to comment on a few items that were raised by previous travellers!

• Boarding - got to the pier at 11.55, lots of porters to take our luggage and were on board by 12.3-
  
• The ship is spotless, not a mark or scratch anywhere. The crew are without exception all polite, happy and smiley!
  
• We are in AF - nice room, good sized balcony and bathroom
  
• The food has been the best of any cruise we have been on. Longest we waited was 2 mins to get a window seat in Versailles. Now the girl knows what table we like and she tries her hardest to make sure we get it!
  
• Speciality restaurants - so far we have only eaten in the Bistro- that chocolate fondu is to die for!
  
• Cruise critic party - yes we got coffee, juice and danishes - no sign of the CD but a great turnout by the Zamboni team - 29 of us and we just taked for 2 hours....! [read our rollcall to understand the Zamboni connection!]
  
• Seen whales and tons of dolphins so far

I'll try and sneak away from DH tomorrow in Maz or in CSL so if you have any questions I'll try and answer them.

 

In summary - the best cruise so far! [apart from the fact that I got knocked over by a wave yesterday in Manz and lost my sunglasses - so somewhere there is a dolphin swimming round in my Gucci's!]

 

hey im glad youre having a good time,, be safe out there.. and drink a miami vice for me please.. i miss the star,, its a nice ship and great food,,

try to go to the ginza and order the dessert only if you arent eating there.. get the banana pancake with coconut ice cream,, it is so GOOD<<< you wont regret it,,,

have a great trip.....

melissa

[vette]

Thanks for taking the time to post while on your cruise. Were you near Cabo when you saw most of the dolphins and whales. I am trying to figure out when to spend most of my time on the balcony looking for them!

 

Vette

[kato92]

Thanks for taking the time to post while on your cruise. Were you near Cabo when you saw most of the dolphins and whales. I am trying to figure out when to spend most of my time on the balcony looking for them!

 

Vette

I am also trying to dtermine if a whale watching excursion is worth the price if we are going to see the whales from the Star. What do you think?:confused:

[immargaret]

I am also trying to dtermine if a whale watching excursion is worth the price if we are going to see the whales from the Star. What do you think?:confused:

 

The whale watching excursions can get so much closer to the whales in their small boats. Usually from the ship you will need binocculars to really see the whales.

 

:)

[kato92]

The whale watching excursions can get so much closer to the whales in their small boats. Usually from the ship you will need binocculars to really see the whales.

 

:)

 

Thank you for the reply. Do you know if the whale watching tour through the Star in Cabo is on a big ship or little boat. Brochure doesn't help.:confused:

[flyingpirate]

Glad to see you're having a great time, I knew you would!

 

Did you get the list of BH spots I sent?

[immargaret]

Thank you for the reply. Do you know if the whale watching tour through the Star in Cabo is on a big ship or little boat. Brochure doesn't help.:confused:

 

There are actually 2 whale watching tours through NCL in CABO. The Cabo Zodiac whale watch is the one I would choose. It is a 15 passenger zodiac type boat. The tour is 3 1/2 hours and the cost is $65.

 

The other whale watching tour is 2 hours, for $69. This is a much larger boat, they serve alcohol, chips and salsa included in the fare.

 

:)

[kato92]

There are actually 2 whale watching tours through NCL in CABO. The Cabo Zodiac whale watch is the one I would choose. It is a 15 passenger zodiac type boat. The tour is 3 1/2 hours and the cost is $65.

 

The other whale watching tour is 2 hours, for $69. This is a much larger boat, they serve alcohol, chips and salsa included in the fare.

 

:)

 

Once again I thank you. We have already chosen the $69.00 trip. Looks like I chose the right one for our group since a member doesn't like small boats. I, too, would prefer the smaller ones for a closer look. But, alcohol, chips and salsa,,,not a bad substitute.:rolleyes:

[judyf]

Thanks for posting. We also sail on 4/10 and love to read all about the Star.

[Hikini]

We sail the Star for the second time, this coming June. I'm glad to know you're enjoying yourself!

 

Hikini:D

[pool girl]

Hi Little Britian: Sounds like you are having alot of fun. We will be sailing on the star 4/18/06. My family and I are first time cruisers so if you have any advice I would appreciate it. For instance my husband has mobility problems. If we wanted to book the Acapolco tour with cliff divers would it be better to book an shore excursion or do it ourselves? I just wondered how much walking there is? We don't want to bring his wheelchair on shore.

[little britain]

Glad to see you're having a great time, I knew you would!

 

Did you get the list of BH spots I sent?

Hi Laurel - no I didn't - pls can you resend. Thanks!

[flyingpirate]

Hi LB -

 

I'll try again by email also, here's hoping you look at this board too:

 

Cocktails with a view

 

-Chateau Marmont Hotel 8221 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood

-The Standard Hotel 8300 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood

-Bonaventure Hotel 404 s. Figueroa St, Downtown

 

Good places for lunch or dinner, semi-expensive lunch, expensive at dinner, but excellent food, and good for celeb watching -

 

-The Ivy - 113 N. Robertson Blvd. (Robertson is tricky because it turns from BH to LA here, this location is north of Wilshire between Third and Beverly)

-Spago (Wolfie Puck's) - 176 N. Canon BH

 

Ivy and Spago are best for lunch bunching.....best on Friday or Saturday, reservations needed.

 

-The Lodge Steakhouse - 14 N. La Cienega, Restaurant Row BH/LA

-Mastros Steakhouse- 246 N. Canon BH

-Madeos - 8900 Beverly Blvd. LA

 

As for "regular" eateries, we like La Scala (Italian) in Beverly Hills and Brentwood, Lawry's (delectable prime rib) on Restaurant Row, Apple Pan (burgers) on Pico in Westwood, Pinks Famous (burgers & dogs) on LaBrea in Hollywood, Dinah's on Sepulveda on the way back to the airport for the giant Dutch apple pancakes...I'm getting hungry!

 

Of course, the Peninnsula, the Four Seasons and the Beverly Hills Hotel all have lovely tea rooms, dining rooms and coffee shops. The coffee shop downstairs at the BHH is fabulous, as is the Polo Lounge, if you want to stop by and visit the pink palace.!

 

I wish I were going to be in town to at least take you on a short "tour of the star's homes", but I'm leaving for NYC early on 2-23 and I'm afraid time will be short. Perhaps when next you pass through....

 

Rodeo Drive should be an easy walk from the Hilton, although, if you want to drive, there is plenty of free parking in the City structures. You may need the car to bring back all the purchases :D Also very close to Century City Shopping Center, free parking, great stores.

 

Anyhow, any more ??, just let me know. Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

[EmJakeBubbie]

Home from the STAR. Cruise was all we hoped it to be and more. Our port experiences consisted entirely of enjoying local beer and nachos in each port. BEST pancake breakfast was enjoyed in Cabo at the Taco Loco (in the little plaza near Cabo Wabo). Most authentically Mexico! If you are going to Manzanillo, the best beer, nachos, and live musician (for tips) is right on the corner across from where the bus drops you off. It's a rather dreary port, but after a few cold ones, who cares:D - Cabo was Sunday and only a half day; we hurried off, found most shops closed, hence our Pancake Breakfast at the Taco Loco. (many shops did open later) Mazatlan was a tad on the pricey side for taxi, but necessary if one wants to get downtown. drivers wanted $10 each way for the ride (our taxi driver detoured for us to stop at the Dairy Queen, we bought him an ice cream as well). It was GreatFun! Everything about the STAR was (as I describe) "cruise-typical". We were on the port side and did not see whales or dolphins. Folks on the starboard side did. All of our sea days were cold, but folks were seen in the pools/hot tubs. Didn't discover anything new that hasn't already been reported on Cruise Critic. Vickie did provide a very nice party for our Roll Call which was very well attended. Door signs were not removed (as previously reported). Didn't win anything except for a couple of cup cozies playing Trivia at the Red Lion Pub with little britain and her DH. It will be great to read little britain's review, but we'll probably have to wait a couple of days as I'm not quite certain of her return home date....

[judyf]

Love reading all the details on the Star. I will be out of toen work related till Sat. evening. I will have CC withdrawals. Maybe when I return Little Britain will have a reveiw posted. maybe even some more. I can hope.

 

Thanks to all for taking the time and posting all about your cruise.

[tuffy88]

Good points little britain. We thought the food was very good on the Star too. For me the Star was the best NCL ship of the 6 we have been on. One complaint I have is the prices charged in the ships Internet Cafe. I did not use it. Used Internet Cafe's in the ports we stopped at. Charges there only $1 for 10 minuets. Am looking forward to your full review of the 10/13/06 Star cruise.

 

Charles & Antoinette

[EmJakeBubbie]

internet was pricey! but how 'bout the $4.50 for one bottle of water!:eek:

[Nilla]

NO no no! Did you check out in Aqua the whole menu just for Water! They had single bottles of water for $10. I picked it up thinking it was a wine menu and found no I was sadly mistaken and that it was just a water menu!

[marilynd]

I am on the Star on the March 1 cruise and I am curious what the movies they were showing onboard. What were the movies in the theater and on the televisions in the cabins.

 

 

Thanks

[Stillfloatin']

Thanks for all the comments and review. We're considering the Star for the Oct 21 cruise and this is great info to help us decide.

[EmJakeBubbie]

movies on board were about 6 months to a year behind the original release - i.e. Cinderella Man. It was a great opportunity to see movies you may have missed 1st release. TV on board wasn't bad either - we had constant CNN. (some folks went 1st to the Red Lion Pub to get their free popcorn and then headed to the movies).

No, didn't check out Aqua "water menu", but did see $4.50 for either bottle of water (sparkling or regular) in the cabin. $10???? how can that be???? Best advice for budget minded: bring on board your own soda and water - we brought on 7 large btls of water and it worked out nicely for us. We aren't huge soda drinkers, so no problem to spring for a $2.01 can of soda when desired. The beer and nachos in port were drop-dead CHEAP! couldn't justify prices on board and it made the ports more "interesting". We found $1 for an hour of internet in PV. For $2.40 in Cabo (cigar internet cafe), we did all the internet we needed PLUS made a 1-xxx-xxx-xxxx call home! WOW! If you cruise the STAR, I highly recommend an upsell to "mini-suite". The in-room coffee pot was put to good use; as well, we appreciated the refrigerator. Room service menu was skimpy but I found they would bring you what you wanted IF they could get their hands on it ... just need to ask (nothing cooked or hot). I ordered up a turkey sandwich one afternoon and it came w/cole slaw and potato chips and they even brought me the 2 ice teas I requested. Took it to balcony and feasted like a queen (DH was zoned out with a nap;))

 

Anyone taking advantage of the $100 on board credit for the changed itinerary should note that if you don't use that $100 you will lose it AND it's not applicable to gratuities or the casino.