Norwegian Star Cruise Review
Historically, there have been what I would consider three levels of cruising: the top end, which is way out of my league; the mid-range, which would include Princess Lines, Celebrity, and Holland America; and the bottom man, Carnival and Costa. That’s my opinion, and one must consider that when assessing the cruise itself.
Based on discussions with others, it also seems that cruises' quality of service and value has slipped since COVID-19. It’s true to say that the package we got for the Norwegian South American tour was phenomenal,
The Norwegian Star appears to be dated. The outlook and fixtures are old or look old. However, the room's layout and design are very efficient. There are lots of places to put clothes and items away. We had a suite that certainly felt quite roomy, with a lovely balcony. The beds are very comfortable, and we had a good night. Sleep is critical.
Ship Overview
- Size: Norwegian Star is a mid-sized cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line.
- Capacity: It can accommodate around 2,348 passengers at double occupancy.
- Features: The ship offers guests a range of amenities and entertainment options.
Accommodations
Accommodations- Staterooms: Various categories of staterooms are available, including Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, and Suite options.
- Comfort: Staterooms are designed for comfort and relaxation, providing a cozy space for guests to unwind.
Dining
- Diverse Cuisine: Norwegian Star offers a variety of dining options, including specialty restaurants, buffets, and casual eateries.
- Flexibility: Guests can enjoy freestyle dining, allowing them to dine whenever and wherever they choose.
I haven’t been that impressed with the food on cruises for the past 15 years or so. It seems to cater to the masses. The dining room is still lovely, and the service is excellent, but the food seems in the middle of the range.
We had three meal coupons for the specialty dining rooms. Results were mixed.
Going to the garden buffet on the first morning was a nightmare. It was so overcrowded that there was nowhere to sit. We ended up going out by the pool, and it seemed to be noisy everywhere. The only quiet spot was in our room, and we decided to have breakfast there in the future. Fortunately, we were one level down from the buffet, so picking up our food and having it in our suite was easy.
I don’t remember there being so many bars on the ship, but I’m told that’s my memory because we had a package which included drinks. I felt like I was being encouraged to be an alcoholic.
Someone described cruising as a place where they treat you like lemons and try to squeeze you for every drop. It’s sad to say this is true.
When I first cruised, everything was covered, and I mean everything. But again, this is a Princess line in the 1970s: gratuity charges, ridiculous Internet charges, drink charges, terribly overpriced excursions, etc.
Norwegian Star Cruise Review Summary
While I think Norwegian Lines offers some great deals, I would avoid taking any on the Norwegian Star.
Interestingly, I happened to read someone else’s (negative) experience with Norwegian today, saying similar things.