This was my first experience on NCL. I have cruised on other cruise lines before. This was my 4th cruise. To say it was a huge disappointment would be an understatement. The food was horrible. The entertainment boring. I fell asleep twice in two different style of shows. For my travel companion, this was his first cruise and I didn't want him to think that this is what real cruising was like. He did not have a good experience either. There was not enough to do for people who was in their mid 20's to 40's. The pool area was usually done by around 8pm. No dancing on the deck and no nightclub. Karaoke was limited to a couple of nights. The deal with freestyle cruising is not really freestyling. Having to get dressed up to just go eat and having to make reservations is not exactly freestyle. I don't understand how women can wear a dress with flip flops or any other pants with tennis shoes and the men have to be in dockers or dress pants. It didn't really seem fair. The reservation system was a joke. You make a reservation and go to dinner and there are 20 empty tables during your whole dinner and if someone comes to the restaurant with no reservation they are turned away. Our last night I tried to make a reservation at Endless Summer at 7 am and couldn't get one but then later that night I called at 7:30 pm and got a reservation for 8:30pm. There were at least 10 empty tables during our dinner and the couple in front of us were turned away because of no reservation. We had to pay $50 for a dinner one night at Cagneys Steakhouse. You should not have to spend that kind of money on board. If you wanted hometown style buffet food it was there, but if you wanted food of any caliber you had to pay for it. Not right on a cruise.

The destinations were good but when we got to Puerto Vallarta we were the 3rd cruise ship to arrive so we had to tender and wait until the dock became available which cut into our limited time there. Needless to say, I have told everyone I know what a horrible experience it was. My other friend who is an experience cruiser (they have taken 10+ cruises all over the world) and she warned me about the Norwegian Star. They took it to Alaska and were hugely disappointed in the food and entertainment as well.

I do have to say that the ship was beautiful and the cabin was very nice. Especially liked the shower. The crew was friendly and the maid service to the cabin impeccable. But overall, you go on a cruise for a new experience and it should be a pleasant one. The food and entertainment should really be the highlight along with the destinations. So when we were placed 3rd in line, that did not make you feel very important. I will go on a cruise again but it would NEVER again be on NCL. I only recommend it if you like your last day activity choices to be how to fold towel animals, frost a chocolate cake, play bingo and listen to dixieland music than this would be the cruise for you!!!