Norwegian Star Review

4.0 / 5.0
2,583 reviews

So Many Memorable Firsts--WOW!!!

Review for the Panama Canal & Central America Cruise on Norwegian Star
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ghough
6-10 Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Feb 2015
Cabin: Obstructed Oceanview

Drove ourselves from our Treasure Coast home. Arranged parking through Premiere Parking - Port of Miami, a 12-15 minute shuttle to / from the port. (8300 NW 7 Ave, 877-809-3009) Could not have made a better choice. About 10 minutes after arrivial at the embarkation terminal, I realized I no longer had my wallet. With one phone call to Premiere and providing a physical description of our driver, we were told to stay put; they would call back within 30 minutes. They did, and to my astonishment, they located my wallet on the shuttle and returned it to me on their next trip to the port...EVERYTHING WAS INTACT--NOTHING WAS MISSING OR DISTURBED. Thank you, Premiere!

Boarding process was fast and efficient. We had been told that we would be permitted on board between 12:30 and 1:00. Believe it or not, by 1:05 we were on board and led to deck 4, mid-ship, the atrium area. Before actually stepping into the lobby area, a crew mate asked our name, and, lo and behold, we heard, "May I introduce the Hough family." We turned the corner and were greeted by two columns of 8-10 crew who applauded our coming aboard. We were blown away. Arriving at our cabin 5133, port side aft, we were greeted by our stateroom host - Nerissa Weir a most congeniel, efficient aid who took care of our every need and offered a suggestion or two daily which was most appreciated. Dining was a unique experience. We were assigned to Parrot Cay dining room the first night. Our server, Emiel Romasanta, and our assistant server, Manolo Santana were absolutely fastiduous in the service to us throughout the week. They took their time to provide excellent meal suggestions and answered all our questions and even accomodated our dining whims. What was neat was that they then served us the next night at Triton, a bit more upscale room and menu, and Animator's Palate, Triton the next, and back to Parrot Cay for our last evening's meal and disembarkation morning breakfast. One would be lucky to have Emeil and Romalo as your servers.

Being a couple of retirees, we cannot provide information regarding the children's club. Suffice it to say, from what we did observe, kids are really made to feel really important. The atrium's square footage may seem small by comparison to atrium areas on other ships...but look at it from the eyes of a 3' - 4' tall youngster and the space is comfy. Our deck 5, for example, is where the nursery and Oceaneer Club (slightly older kids) and Oceaneer Lab (older yet kids) are located. At 6' tall I could reach up and palm the ceiling with both hands...again a size perspective perfect for children to feel a little more grown up. Breakfast and Lunch buffets: avoid them. Choose instead to eat in sit down, wait staff served restaurants. The Wonder's buffets lack variety, the tempreture of the food is tepid at beat. The specialty egg station we didn't even find until being funneled through one of the four buffet lines. At that were one to want freshly prepared eggs or omlettes, there is no breakfast meats, unless one were to go back through the buffet lines. DO SAMPLE THE CROSSAINTS AND DANISH, WONDER-FUL. Though toast and bagels one could play shuffleboard with them. UNLIMITED FRUIT AND SOFT DRINKS, THROUGHOUT THE CRUISE. With the exception of pizza, there is really no late evening or night time food. Really missed the cheese platter seletions and burgers / hot dogs / fries we have had access to "up on the pool decks" of virtually every other cruise ship (7) we have been on. On board entertainment: the BEST we've ever had - in variety of shows (4 different broadway-like productions: All Aboard, Let the Magic Begin!; Toy Story The Musical;The Golden Mickeys; and Disney DREAMS An Enchanted Classic) and talent. Plus one evening's main entertainte was Mike Price, an engaging comedian / juggler. In fact, we enjoyed his juggling so much we sought him out at two other performances. Disembarkation was the most casual and efficient of every cruise we've been on. Every aspect of people movement and control was done with exceptional Disney efficiency. (with the exception of the - to be expected - lengthy lines of kiddies with parents for Disney Character portraits. But then again, isn't that to be expected?!)

Cabin Review

Obstructed Oceanview

Cabin OK

Nearly perfect cabin. Yes we did look out onto a life boat; but above it we did have about 16-20" of starboard viewing. Very, very quiet entire voyage!! The best bathroom layout we've seen. To the left a large shower with sliding smoked-glass door. To the far right the toilet, again with a privacy sliding panel. In the center was the sink with plenty of shelf space above, counter space on either side of the sink and a full-width shelf beneath. A nice desk with large mirror. To the right were three stacked drawers and two shelves above the desk extension. NOTE: There is only one electrical outlet. Bring a surge strip of 6 plugs for all your charging needs. We had a large closet with appx. 15 hangers, a shelf below and floor space beneath. There were another three drawers. OH, we each had large suitcases: they DID fit easily beneath the beds--which were quite comfortable. We had a nice sized refrigerator (we just put all of their stocked items in the top cabinet shelf during the trip. Our cabin steward, Jaime, saw to our every need, from two wine glasses by mid-day, every day and fresh ice twice daily in addition to the cutest towel animals and mints each evening. Just one deck above the wrap around Promenade, Deck 8 was quirky--no walking down endless hallways--see deck plan. Through it mid-ship area it is right above the Grand Atrium and features the Blue Lagoon 24 hour restaurant with menu items (fantastic chicken wings, delicious tomato soup, and PB&J from the kid's menu to give you a peanut butter fix) and the Moderno Churrascaria speciality restaurant (think Texas de Brazil) which was delicious from appetizers through desert.

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