Norwegian Star Review
First Norwegian Cruise Falls Short of Expectations
Rating by category
Additional details
This was our 16th cruise but our very first with NCL and we had heard good things. Most of our previous cruises were with Carnival and we had heard that NCL was a classier, more grown up cruise line. That combined with the drink package has us looking forward to a great cruise.
While we were given an embarkation time we still showed up at 10:45am and were on the Star by 11:30am - so the embarkation was seemless and much like Carnival.
We went straight to the Bie Garten bar at the top of the ship and started our vacation with one of our all inclusive drinks! We asked the bartender what drinks were outside our package and he pointed to 3 bottles in the top corner and said "everything but those". So we went about our cruise and drank anything we would normally drink from Crown Royal, to Margaritas, to Cosmopolitans, all were good with the package (**but watch your bill for rogue drinks!!!***more on that later).
Cabin Review
Balcony
Our room was ready quick and it was very nice. I'd say better than an Carnival ship - maybe on par with a Carnival Spa room. We just had a regular Balcony room (#9035). The bathroom/shower is SO much bigger than Carnival or Princess. The balcony has cigarette butts on the floor but that lack of attention to service/detail was on par with the rest of the ship. My wife was using the hair dryer, sitting where the make-up station is and our phone rang saying there was a fire alarm in our room. We had to explain that my wife was blow drying her hair. Turns out the heat sensor is right above where the hair dryers are. Dumb.
Our room steward was disinterested and even rude at times when we asked for information. We had the soap dispenser fall off the wall one day. We called to have it fixed - which they did in a couple hours...but for the rest of the day until the next day they left the repaired dispenser empty, so no soap or shampoo.
Port Reviews
Roatan
Went to West Beach via taxi with a bit of and island tour getting there. $15 a person. Beach had a lot of people trying to sell you stuff and bothering you. Did get a $20 massage for 45 minutes. Not as good as Carnivals private beach.
Tampa
Always enjoy leaving from Tampa. Always book airport hotels. They are new, clean and convenient. For transportation needs use GroundJet! We came across this company, run by a guy named Jaime. He was professional, affordable and had GREAT service. We used him after the cruise as well. Go to groundjet.net to get his contact info.
Costa Maya
Our least favorite port of call. Nothing to do but some typically cruise terminal type shopping. Few excursions. A good stay-on-the-ship day to avoid the crowds. Maybe go for a morning walk onshore.
Cozumel
Cozumel is party central. We have done SO much here and always have a good time. This trip we just shopped around town and went back to the ship. We priced out a rental jeep for $50 and think we will certainly do that next time we return, and explore the island.