Norwegian Star Review
Overall good; Star delivered for the average cruiser.
Rating by category
Additional details
This was our 6th cruise with NCL and we have only cruised with NCL. Wife and I are in our mid 30's and have to save up for a year or more just to take a vacation. We are down to earth people and real about what we have to say. My wife is gluten free so I will highlight that as well. We have had inside rooms, obstructed view, picture window & balcony rooms before - based upon cost of the room is how we decide on the room we get.
We flew into Tampa 2 days early and stayed with family. They took us to the port which we have been to before - this is the 2nd sailing from Tampa that we have been on. Drop off and luggage to the porter and into the terminal we went.
Embarkation was smooth. We passed through security in minutes and waited in line for about 20 minutes. It seemed to go slower than in past years - maybe because once you sail NCL you are Latitude members and everyone is now in that line. We are in the silver category and are now into Gold... I think... that line went just as slow from what we saw. They called our number about 10 minutes after check in and we were on board. We waked around the ship to check it out and then headed off to the buffet to grab a light lunch. It still amazes me to see people with a mountain of food piled onto a plate - like they have never seen it before or think it will be gone if they don't get it now. Headed to the pool deck to grab some ice cream for the wife - happy wife happy life. From there we went to the main dining room and found the Maitre D. Explained the food allergy and were able to preorder for that nights meal (and each night after that as well).
Cabin Review
Obstructed Oceanview
We had cabin 8062 which is coded as a guarantee obstructed view. When we initially booked it was just coded as obstructed view. The truth behind this cabin it's view is not really obstructed at all. There is a straight light of sight out of the window to the ocean or what you would see where you are at....there is no large life boat in the way. The issues of this room that we found are minor but are that it is above the promenade deck and we heard noise all the time (well when people were yelling) - one night it did keep us awake but nothing we could do about it. There are lights for the promenade deck and they will show around the curtains - it will not be 100% dark in this room at any point. Overall would we book this room again - NO. If you need a room with a window book it - because it is coded obstructed but really isn't obstructed - 8562 on the other side of the ship is the same way so book either of them. We would book an inside cabin over this room based upon cost only - The reason for us booking it was that it was the same cost as an inside room (with the NCL on board credit that we got). Deck 8 has a lot of turns for it's hallway as well - look on a deck map - I'd rather be on a different deck with a straight hallway. 8062 is next to 2 turns in a hallway and we only heard kids running once because the hallway is ramped next to this room. It has a great location for the stairs and elevator which is a huge plus for the room as well. Cabin TV - ok here is an improvement from the last time we cruised.... they are offering more current local (USA) TV and 2 movie channels.... I won't give it 5 stars yet because by day # 5 I had seen all the TV shows at least once - I've got to watch about 1 hour each night before I go to sleep - force of habit I guess - no one goes on a cruise to watch TV but don't repeat the same shows at the same time of the day.
Port Reviews
Tampa
Typical port - Like the Look of Miami way better than Tampa
Roatan
Private beach at a resort on the far east end of the island.
Belize City
Glad to see that Belize City is being dropped from NCL's port stops for 2016. The private island I'm guessing won't have barbwire all around it like this port does.
Costa Maya
Booked independently Maya Chan... totally a great place to spend the day... will be back here for sure - have to book this place independently
Cozumel
The locals are ruining this place by being so pushy in trying to make a sale.... just way way too pushy.