Norwegian Star Review

Service was poor with below average food.

Review for the Panama Canal & Central America Cruise on Norwegian Star
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Rowdy Retiree
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Nov 2018
Cabin: Balcony

We are very active cruisers and although not 100% loyal we are mainly loyal Norwegian cruisers. Let me start by saying that the itinerary and overall travel experience was good. We had been into the canal but never through the canal and up the coastline so this was our opportunity. We had a veranda stateroom (9222) that was in very good shape on the Starboard side. First off the service for the dining rooms including O'Sheehan's was very, very slow. We found O'Sheehans to be the worst. On multiple occasions we witnessed very disappointed customers complaining and even getting up and walking out. This involved both getting initial service (15 minute waits just for water) followed by long waits for food. I have to be honest here we have cruised on 5 other Norwegian ships multiple times and the service dining on the Star was by far worst than any other experience. I did take the time to speak with Adine (I seem to recall that name) the Restaurant Manager and he assured me we had just hit an "off afternoon" but that was not so as it continued with a little improvement only. He was very polite so I am not trying to throw him under the bus here but he stated " Star had recently been renovated and 80 seats added to "O Sheehans without enlarging the kitchen and it is an issue." Maybe Norwegian Executives need to know this and help correct the problem? Our other dining venues were not nearly as bad as O'Sheehans, although there seems to be the "specialty" missing from the upcharge specialty restaurants as we ate 5 meals in them and there really is nothing special about them anymore.

Because of the recent renovation the ship was in good shape so no complaints here. The Housekeeping team was great and earned our rave review as they took care of everything on a timely basis! The entertainment was up and down. This could be because of our preference though as others may have felt all was great. We really liked the Comedian and the Flashback Four. Amazing talents the sang very difficult selections. The bar staff was over-all good especially at 5:00 Somewhere lounge. I do wish that lounge was open earlier in the day though.

I thought the Captain and his staff were ok but not nearly as visible around the ship as we are used to from the other Norwegian ships we have cruised on. On opening night the Captain gave his opening welcome chat and did not promise a great cruise but "guaranteed" it...…….something he could not follow through on. The cruise Director was less engaged than we are used to seeing but his Assistants Phillip and Marta and his team were very engaged......kudo's to each of them!

Cabin Review

Balcony

Cabin BC
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