Just returned from the Mexican Riviera cruise on the NCL Star the week of March 5 - 12, 2011. This was my second cruise with NCL; my first cruise was on the Dawn in 2008.

First of all, I'd like to point out that many of the problems that people have listed on this board have been more a result of either being unprepared for what they might encounter or having what I like to call "Cruise Line Bias". If you prefer Princess or RC or whatever else you might prefer, please do all of us who don't have any vendetta against NCL a favor and keep cruising with them. I'm the sarcastic type who doesn't go looking for problems and tries to have a good time. I feel like making recommendations from past experience is far more insightful and helpful to future cruisers in a review than just bashing NCL or ripping the Star a new one for not living up to your expectations. If you feel like reading my honest opinion of the trip, then please read on.

First Day and Embarkation: Read more