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Norwegian Cruise Line

MS Norwegian Star

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: Scott & Linda Compton
# previous cruises: 5
Date of Trip: January 3, 2008
Itinerary: Mexico-Western

Having sailed on the Star in 2004 to Hawaii, we were delighted to see that we would be on the same ship on our cruise to the Mexican Rivera this last January. We had thoroughly enjoyed our Hawaiian cruise and had decided that Norwegian would be our cruise line of choice from now on, having sailed on Princess, Holland America and Royal Caribbean previously.

I am sorry to say that we were greatly disappointed.

The ship had changed little since our Hawaii trip, the main differences being the addition of the Casino where a nightclub had been previously (apparently there is some regulation prohibiting casinos on ships sailing in Hawaiian waters), the transition of the Endless Summer restaurant from Hawaiian fare to a Tex Mex menu (rather poorly done, I might add), and the change of the Starbucks-type coffee cafe in the main atrium to a rather humdrum bar. You could still get coffee, but not near the same selection or quality.

The real disappointment was in the food and service. We ate one night at Cagney's and had excellent food and service. However, both the menu and the service in the Versailles dining room, our favorite in Hawaii, was sorely lacking. Gone were the gourmet menus, replaced by such fare as a turkey dinner the likes of which one would find in the local coffee shop. Steaks (when available) were disappointingly thin. The wait staff was sorely in need of work. The service was sloppy at best and irritatingly slow at worst. A far cry from our previous experience.

Cabins were still quite nice. In Hawaii, we had opted for a mini suite with balcony. This time we booked an ocean view category because it was easier on the budget, but I must say we were just as pleased with the cabin even though it was, of course, smaller. Our cabin stewards were just as attentive and were the bright part of our trip.

Entertainment was the usual cruise fare. We have never been too impressed by cruise ship entertainment and this voyage was no exception.

The Andrew Lloyd Weber review was not bad until the end, when the cruise director began an extended self-serving praise extravaganza of the ship's staff. It severely marred what would have otherwise been an enjoyable evening. One bright spot was the female lounge singer in Gatsby's. She was laid back and quite good. We found ourselves there several evenings after dinner.

Shore excursions were so-so. Do not waste your time or money to Land's End ( the famous arches) in Cabo San Lucas. We actually got a better view of them as the ship sailed into and out of the harbor.

Mexico must be the itinerary that attracts the greater unwashed of the cruising public. I can only say that the typical passenger could be seen walking along with his "helmet o' beer" throughout the ship. We do not consider ourselves to be snobs, but I guess we are, because we would not wish to associate with the majority of people we encountered on this cruise.

We had the distinct impression that Norwegian has decided to cater to this level of passenger, which we are not, and because of that, they have lost our business.