Up early at 3:30 AM to catch a cross country flight at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Drove to the airport and found a long term parking space with ease. The bus to take us to the terminal was pulling up as we brought our luggage to the bus stop. We had preprinted our boarding passes and the security lines were short at that early hour. Flight took off on time and the five hours passed quickly. With the three hour time difference we arrived in Los Angeles at 9:30 AM. Since we packed light with carry on luggage we didn't have to stop and wait for it to arrive at baggage claim. We proceeded outdoors and the Super Shuttle was there waiting. We encountered very little traffic on a Sunday morning in LA driving to the San Pedro port.

There were three ships in port that day and NCL had a tent for embarking. There were many, many people already at the port by the time we arrived. Things were very confusing with lines wrapped around the tent outdoors. Others were being dropped off and just pushing their way into the front of the line. We waited patiently and made friends with some of the others in line with us. Once inside the tent there was another line and eventually we were given a ticket with a number on it which would be called in order to board the Star. We came in on a lower floor not the atrium as normal on other sailings. Versailles restaurant opened at 12:30. We waited as everyone else went to the Market Cafe (buffet). Had a lovely lunch and by the time we were finished Ray Carr, the Cruise Director, announced that the rooms were ready for occupancy. We went up to our room and unpacked. At 3:30 PM we had the boat drill. (note, you no longer have to wear your life jackets).

Immediately afterwards we were meeting our roll call friends from Cruise Critic in the Bier Garden (13th floor) for sailaway. It was fun putting faces together with those that we had been corresponding with for some time. There was a huge barge parked next to our ship and it took some time for it to be moved out of our way so that we could sail out. The Star was a couple of hours late leaving port. Near as we could figure this barge was bringing on more supplies for the renovation on the 12th floor of the Star. By evening we were both tired. I was hungry for the fish and chips in the Blue Lagoon so that was our dinner spot. For dessert I had the cheesecake. Sadly, my favorite dessert, the brownie sundae was no longer on the menu. Our waiter, Franciso from India took very good care of us. Everything was served in a timely manner and was steaming hot. Read more