Just returned from Miami to LA Panama cruise on the Star. We have sailed with NCL many times but this was our first time on the Star. We cannot recommend this ship. Perhaps our experience was colored by the fact there was a Norovirus outbreak on the cruise before ours. Our entire cruise (14 days) was under extreme public health hazard control standards. This meant no coffee makers in rooms, no ice buckets (no ice), no self service of any food or drink item , waitstaff wearing latex gloves when handling plates or glasses, no self service in buffet, no chocolate buffet, waiting inline for staff to first put ice in glass and then to another line for filling of liquid. We were told it would be for only 4-5 days. When we had dinner with a ship officer, he let it slip that they actually intended to maintain this for the entire cruise.

Quality of food in buffet was poor. Blue Lagoon and MDR had better quality of food. The climate for this cruise is very hot and humid. It was a challenge to get a glass of ice water. The staff wanted to sell only the bottled water, especially around the pool area.

The average age of the passengers doing this long of a cruise is much older than other cruises. This reflects in the lack od nighttime activity on the ship. Read more