Norwegian Star Review

4.0 / 5.0
2,583 reviews

Can a cruise line possibly do this many things wrong?

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on Norwegian Star
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Madcap Minx
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Mar 2016
Cabin: Obstructed Oceanview

This was the most inept crew I have ever dealt with.

The most important screw up was the SHIP SPONSORED TOUR in Cozumel. It was the Salsa & Salsa. NCL sub contracts with a company called Tropical Tours. Lulu loaded us into taxi cabs and sent us to the resort. The making salsa was great but the trouble came afterwards. She told everyone leaving right away to get into a line. Lulu put 8 people into each cab. The cab went to the cruise port. As soon as we got there I realized that this was not where we were picked up. I kept telling the cab driver this was wrong but the rest of the cab were on Splendor of the Seas and this was where it was docked. The cab driver did not understand English and insisted we get out of the cab. I went to an official at the port and asked where the NCL was. He said 4 miles away. I was not sure I had very much money left and thought we would have to walk which was not going to happen in 85 degrees and a 75 year old with asthma. I had visions of the ship leaving without us since they would have figured we got off in Cozumel to shop or drink. I tore my back pack apart and found $10. I went to an official at the port and they got me a cab. Let's remember that this was one of those VERY EXPENSIVE SHIP SPONSORED TOURS that guarantee your safety. They will deliver you to the ship and the ship will not leave without you but that was not going to happen in this case. I could have done the tour for 1/3 the cost and been treated this way. The topper came when we got back on board and talked to guest services. They said I had to talk to shore excursions. At 6 when shore excursions opened I went in to explain what happened. She was so rude it was unbelievable. She said it would have only taken us 20 to 30 minutes to walk that distance and that we would not have missed the ship. She just did not understand that he is 75, overweight and has asthma. We were not making 4 miles in a day yet alone 20 minutes. It was A SHIP SPONSORED EXCURSION - GUARANTEED TO GET YOU BACK SAFELY YET IT DID NOT AND NCL SIMPLY DID NOT CARE. Use the cheap tours at the end of the pier they are just as reliable as the extremely expensive ship tours. After quite a while of wrangling, she gave us back $40 for the cab fair. DO NOT TAKE THE SHIP SPONSORED TOURS, THEIR WORD IS WORTH NOTHING.

In addition to that when we embarked, I noticed that there was no stamp on our card for the ultimate beverage package. I mentioned it to clerk who looked in the computer and said it was not there. We showed her the confirmation and she said we would have to go to guest services. We went up to guest services and the line was very short. They said there was nothing they could do and would have to get in touch with the main office in Miami. Really!!! I have a confirmation and you have a computer right there. Nothing like starting your vacation in stress. We also had $50 credit against each shore excursion. SAME STORY. These things got straightened out the next day but that was way too long for this problem.

Cabin Review

Obstructed Oceanview

Cabin OK

Cabin 8620 is over the 5 o'clock somewhere bar. They do karaoke at night. Do not take this cabin if you go to bed early. The room and bathroom are really big because this room is handicap accesible.

Port Reviews

Belize City

fun being in the river underground. Long bus ride for a short tubing but still fun.

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