This was a neat port. We did a generic four hour historical tour that we booked through the ship. It hit the highlights, nice since it was our first time there. The port is mainly industrial, but there is a shuttle to the shopping areas that comes to the ship. I think it is free-it is a trolley kind of thing. 
I was particularly happy that I was able to buy some shirts with mola. This is decorative embroidery hand sewn by the Kuna Indians of Panama that I collect. I also got a very nice hand painted chess set for my nephew. The pieces were Indians and Conquistadors, with the Indian knights appearing as llamas. 
We would like to go back to this port and try a restaurant or two, and visit the marketplace again. 
The review of ports feature is not letting me add additional ports, so I am going to continue here. 
Our second port was Puntarenas, Costa Rica. I love Costa Rica! We elected to do the rain forest tram, booked through the ship. It was a really nice excursion. We saw a macaw, many crocodiles, and lots of interesting vegetation. Our guides were knowledgeable and the bus ride to the tram place was actually not totally scary. We went directly back to the ship and did not check out any shopping or other in Puntarenas. 
Port # 3 was Huatulco, easily the most beautiful. It is still pretty unspoiled. We chose an excursion to a crocodile sanctuary, booked through the ship. We liked this fine, but it was misdescribed in the ship materials. It is definitely a fairly high activity level trip. One lady was already complaining just on the walk to the bus. Be prepared for a walk on a sandy beach, climbing in and out of elderly rowboats in croc infested waters-fun!- and a "lunch" consisting of a skimpy cheese quesadilla and choice of water or soda. Long bus ride back, some interesting shops on pier. We definitely want to return to Huatulco. 
Port #4 was Acapulco. We grabbed a cab and got the driver to give us a private tour. He was great. In addition to the view hotel stop, we also saw a mosaic mural on a private home that had been created by Diego Rivera. We saw the John Wayne hotel and Johnny Weismuller's bungalow. 
We then went to the other side of Acapulco and visited the church whose cross is visible from the harbor. It was very private and very beautiful-architecture in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright. It was a great tour and since we fixed it up ourselves, much cheaper then going through the ship. 
The shopping area on the pier actually has a few items of interest, worth spending some time. Lots of t shirts etc also. 
Port #5 was Cabo. We did whale watching in a zodiac booked thru the ship. Yes we saw whales! Big Humpbacks with giant tales! My husband got some great pics. The Zodiac is a wild ride and we were still shaking when we came back to the pier. 


Cartagena (Colombia)

Our cruise critic roll call person arranged a very nice meet and greet the first full day, and also a dinner the next to last night.One thing I noticed is that the public areas of the ship were much more crowded than I am used to on HAL.

Norwegian Star Review

Norwegian Star - Central America

Rating by category

Additional details

Cabin Review

Balcony

Find a Norwegian Star Cruise from $479