Norwegian Star Review

4.0 / 5.0
2,583 reviews

Norwegian Star

Review for the Panama Canal & Central America Cruise on Norwegian Star
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j-6
6-10 Cruises • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Dec 2010
Cabin: Family Suite

After reading reviews of the Norwegian Star Panama Cruise here on Cruise Critic, I was in a panic. I expected to find a poorly run ship that was thread bare with poor food, marginal entertainment, surly staff and to be charged for everything short of air to breathe. I even considered canceling the cruise and picking another line for the Panama bucket list cruise. Surely NCL could not let such a poorly run ship remain on the line!

My experience with the Norwegian Star was entirely different from several earlier negative reviews. First, let us remember that cruising is changing. Money is tight on both ends. You can't blame a line for testing ways to make a few extra bucks. What cruise line have you been on that does not have T-Shirts for sale, especially for a monumental crossing? What did you pay for a beer or mixed drink? Star's prices were high, but no more than my last cruise. Most all lines have a specialty restaurant or two, its just that Star has six plus a "Best Of" and a "Taste of India" night. The cost for these restaurants runs from $10 to $25 per person. For what it is worth, most of these specialty restaurants were less than half full any time I had the opportunity to pass by and poke my head in. The exception is Cagney's located on deck 13 foreship, which seemed to be fairly full for dinner. As a perk, certain cabins are able to have breakfast and lunch in Cagney's. Having the opportunity to eat there, I must say every item on the menu was better than the next and well worth the fee to dine. Service was always superb. Endless Summer offered Tex/Mex food for a $10 fee. The food was wonderful and worth the extra cash. The only problem was the amount of food, there being enough to feed a small developing country. Being of an age where I was taught to clean my plate, I felt guilty leaving over half of the food when we left the restaurant. Do not overlook The Blue Lagoon, located on deck 8 midship. They serve "Comfort Food": wings, burgers, fish and chips, fried chicken strips and the like. To answer a long running debate, yes the Sushi restaurant Ginza Asian does have a conveyer belt. I don't care what it cost to get your fill of sushi in your home town. I felt it was worth the extra $15. La Bistro offered wonderful food in a quiet atmosphere. The specialty restaurants offered different styles of food and are well worth a try. Time will tell if these specialty restaurants are the future of cruising.

To continue on food, breakfast is available at several places. The food is standard breakfast fare. Yes, there is an omelette station. Was breakfast to die for? No. Was it good? Yes. Was it better or worse than other lines? Very similar. Thanks, Star, for the herring and smoked salmon (with capers) for breakfast. My favorite. Good, hot and filling with good variety is about all you can ask for. Treat yourself to breakfast at Versailles and enjoy being waited on. That is why you cruise anyhow.

Cabin Review

Family Suite

Cabin SJ

Great handicapped room with raised commode and wheelchair accessible shower. Ample room for disabled passengers. Bed was very firm and uncomfortable for us. Stewards and Butler were the best ever.

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