My husband and I were celebrating our Birthdays and loved this itinerary. We knew how expensive these ports in the Baltic would be, so we decided to save some money and booked an inside cabin. We had sailed on this ship before, on deck 4 without any problems. We like that the gangways are usually on this deck and make it easy to get on and off the ship at all the ports. Unfortunately, we were put in a room on a very noisy hallway. Please read my Cabin review and avoid this hallway of rooms at all cost! When I asked about the noise in our cabin, the front desk staff was dismissive and curt! We were informed that there was no alternative room and sent away. She assured us " it might get better once we leave port". They knew it would not! The front desk has to deal with these inferior, problematic rooms each sailing! Don't make your customer feel bad because they don't want to be in a noisy, vibrating box for the next 9 days!! That first night, I was so miserable I called the front desk at 1 am. I asked about the noise and vibration and told them we voiced our concerns about the room when we had arrived. I felt interrogated on the phone by the front desk women. "Who'd you speak with? name? when? we assure you there is nothing wrong with that room. Describe the noise? what do you mean the the ceiling and walls are vibrating? What do you mean the extra bed on the wall is rattling? There is only a hallway behind your room." I spoke of the conversation I had with the cabin steward telling me I'd get use to the noise. She told me I could come to the front desk for some ear plugs. I thanked her and told her I had earplugs. Worst customer service ever! Luckily we only had to be in that room one night.

The wait staff on this ship are sweet and friendly. The housekeeping staff were hardworking and kept the ship very clean. We loved the Captain of the Star! He gave the best informative announcements about the ports, weather, history and safety. He even opened the bow deck area for guest to take pictures when we where leaving Stockholm. You could tell the crew liked him too.

The food in the speciality restaurants was terrific. Cagney's and Teppanaki were our favorites. The breakfast buffet is good. They will make fresh eggs or omelettes and waffles. The Aqua restaurant and lunch/dinner Buffets were just ok. Some of the entrées and most of the desserts were disappointing. They make sweet crepes each evening at the buffet and there is always soft service ice cream. Read more