Norwegian Star Review

4.0 / 5.0
2,583 reviews

Carnival vs NCL we just wasted 1,000 dollars

Review for the Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Norwegian Star
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simcoper
6-10 Cruises • Age 50s

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Sail Date: Apr 2016

This was a free cruise that we won from Hard Rock Casino. We pay the port fee's and the taxes on a interior room. There was an upgrade available so we took it, ocean view. That came with 2 free options, we choose the beverage package and the dining package. So the free cruise now has increased a little over the free, port fee's, taxes, surcharges, dining gratuities, beverage gratuities, sunlight, moonlight, room and service gratuities and hand sanitizer we are now over 1,000 dollars. but free.

We have sailed Carnival for years and are close to platinum level, we wanted to see what all the fuss is about, NCL and their freestyle. This was a total joke. The ship, even according to numerous staff did not flow and was hard to understand. The entertainment was ok, and the activities were blaaa. The staff in the casino did not like answering questions and if you did not understand them, well that's tough let's move on attitude. I actually asked one of the staff, mind you in front of the pit boss, with over 500.00 in chips to speak up a little. The response I got "Move closer if you cant hear me" and the pit boss did nothing but laugh, I cashed out. I do not see what all the hype is about, several cruises are cheaper than NCL going to the same places? Food in the dining (paid) were just ok in our book. Steak beat to hell and the Lobster rubbery. Sides came in a very small dish that would tick off a rat with the portion sizes. The buffet you first had to pick the right side as they were very rarely open at the same time and when they were not the same stuff on both sides. Way too much salt and lacked taste. Fruit you could almost bend in half and it would not break. Look I am not knocking NCL there are some good things on this ship, but they just don't compare to Carnival. We are not young, parting type of crowd but this boat and the activities were lacking. The staff outside were more worried about removing your dish off the table and spraying you with hand sanitizer than getting you a drink. Yes we had unlimited drinks, and unlimited waiting in lines to get those drinks as well. Only 2 waiters on the pool deck during the mid-morning to take orders. So you either wait in line for 10-15 minutes or wait for a server, you pick. I saw our room steward twice and it was because he was looking for a tip. I said hi Victor he said hi.....look in pocket.... Mr. John..this was day 4. Overall we will not be back, thank you Hard Rock but no we want Carnival....

Cabin Review

Port Reviews

Tampa

Great city to cruise out of

Costa Maya

they will sell you anything and each one has price that is better than the other

Belize City

Tender station, but very pushy inside the port to buy their items

Roatan

we really did not like where we ported here, wish it was Mahogany Bay

Cozumel

Love Cozumel

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