star cruise review

Norwegian Star Review: The Good Bad and the Ugly

By: Author coupletraveltheworld

Posted on Last updated: August 27, 2023

Categories Cruise Reviews

Considering cruising on the Norwegian Star but don’t know what the ship will be like?

You have come to the right place. We have traveled on Norwegian Cruise Line a lot (here’s a Norwegian Getaway review, a Norwegian Sun review and a Norwegian Sky review ) and are now finally platinum members (yippee – hello free speciality dining meals!) so we know a thing or two about Norwegian ships.

Norwegian Star is one of the smaller of the Norwegian cruise fleet, it is also one of the older ships which means it doesn’t have some of the facilities of the large ships like waterslides but we still really enjoyed our cruise.

We cruised on the Norwegian Star for over 30 nights on a back to back sailing from Southhampton UK to Reykjavík Iceland up the coast of Scotland and Norway. During this time, I noted my thoughts on the ship so keep reading for the good, the bad and the ugly of the Norwegian Star to decide whether you would like to cruise on it for your next vacation.

Entertainment

The entertainment on the ship was of a really high quality overall. The ship has a production team which consist of 3 lead female singers, 3 lead male singers and backup dancers. I believe this team rotates every 8 months or so so the production team may vary depending on when you travel.

If you are on a cruise for around 10 days (this was 1 leg of our 3) they will do 3 shows in total. These shows are on repeat for a few months so if you do back to back cruising, you will likely need to see the same show twice. That being said, we really liked the production shows and were happy to see them a few times. There was a good show when we sailed called “What the World Needs” celebrating music of Burt Bacharach.

We also met the cast around the ship and they were all really nice and friendly. They are allowed to access some of the guest facilities like the gym and buffet so you often see them around. Most of them are up for a chat.

In addition to the production performances, there are 3-4 guest acts that Norwegian hires which perform in the Stardust theatre (the main stage). This is the only theatre on the ship.

During our cruise, we had a guest singer, a magic show, a juggler, a violinist and an acrobatic duo. All shows were good but the acrobatic duo ( MP Art Duo ) were absolutely phenomenal and absolutely world class having previously worked for Cirque du Soleil. 

This is a great cruise for young adults so if you are in your 20s/30s and thinking to book this cruise we would say, go for it as the entertainment was great for this age group.

My Dad was disappointed we didn’t have a comedian onboard on the first two legs of the cruise like there has previously been on other ships. Being a smaller ship, there was less overall entertainment than larger ships like the Norwegian Epic and less choice but it was still overall a very high quality. We were on back-to-back sailings and on the third leg of the cruise a comedian did come on. Although, I would rate the entertainment and comedic value as poor. It was disappointing to say the least.

A benefit to the larger ships is that you don’t need to book shows in advance. You can just show up and get a seat.  I really liked this as it meant you didn’t have to plan your schedule in advance.

In addition to the theatre performances which are generally on 7pm and 9pm (two shows nightly) there was various other entertainment around the ship like piano players, guitarists and violinists to watch as you enjoy a drink.

Rating: 9/10

The food on the Norwegian Star was overall of a very high quality. There are 2 free main dining areas (Versailles and Aqua) as well as a pub area (O’Sheehans), a Chinese restaurant (Ginza) and a buffet (the Garden Buffet) that you can visit without a speciality dining package.

Versailles is the fancier of the two free restaurants onboard the Norwegian Star with an old-world Mary Antoinette vibe. The ceilings at the restaurant are high and the decor of the restaurant is regal and gold. Lovely oil paintings line the walls.

Aqua presents more modern-style dining with more modern furniture and finishings as well as a star ceiling.

Versailles was my preference of the two as I preferred the decor and the service tended to be faster as a whole. Both Versailles and Aqua serve exactly the same menu each night and share a galley so the food for both restaurants is identical.

I think some guests just choose to dine at whichever restaurant is closer to their cabin. There are a lot of larger guests onboard the cruise – it is a foodies paradise after-all – and some of them can’t walk very far.

Versailles restaurant

The menu for Versailles and Aqua changed nightly and for the most part I couldn’t fault it. Some of my personal highlights (if you see them come up) are the peanut bang bang chicken and shrimp and the rainbow trout.

Bang bang chicken and shrimp served at Versailles and Aqua on the Norwegian Star

Coconut shrimp on the Norwegian star

We dined at Ginza, the included Chinese restaurant only twice over the 30 nights we were onboard the Norwegian Star on our back to back sailing.

I would say the food at Ginza was a bit ordinary overall. It had a bit of an MSG taste if I’m honest. A special mention to the fried vegetable pot stickers at Ginza which stood out from the rest of the menu and are worthwhile ordering if you decide to dine there. 

The pub O’Sheehans was the only restaurant on the Star that opened 24/7. In the past Norwegian cruises have offered a late night small buffet so you can have a snack after the show finished but it seems this stopped after COVID-19 which I think is a bit poor. 

O’Sheehans has a great pub menu and is worth visiting for their burgers, sandwiches and hot dogs. It is also the only place on the ship which serves Guinness beer which my husband and father appreciated. If you are traveling in a group, it is also one of the most likely places you will get a window ocean view table as the tables at Versailles are mostly set up for couples.

The Garden cafe had some good food on offer too. One night they had suckling pig on the menu which was seriously delicious and we really enjoyed.

There are also 6 specialty dining restaurants onboard the Star where a fee, dining package or voucher applies: Cagneys Steakhouse, La Cucina Italian, Le Bistro French, Moderno Brazilian, Sushi and Teppanyaki. If you don’t have a dining package included in your cruise/ are not a platinum number, I believe you can purchase a package onboard for around $50 USD per person per restaurant.

Out of the 6 specialty dining restaurants onboard the Norwegian Star we tried 4: Cagneys Steakhouse, La Cucina Italian, Le Bistro French and Moderno Brazilian.

We had 1 speciality dining included in our cruise as part of a promotion. Plus, if you cruise with Norwegian a lot and hit “platinum status” you get 2 extra speciality dining included per cruise of 5 days or longer. So in total we had 3 per cruise and 9 speciality dining in total during our 30 days at sea.

Cagneys Steakhouse had very good food especially the Filet Mignon steak (highly recommended). A few in our group tried some of the other steak cuts at the restaurants and none compared to the quality of the Filet Mignon. Don’t be turned off by the fact that you don’t get as much Filet Mignon 8oz as the other cuts of steak where you get as much as double as it is plenty and you will leave feeling rather full, quality over quantity I say. Other good options at the restaurant are the onion soup (very good) and the shrimp cocktail. 

La Cucina Italian was a big let-down. If you only want to try a few of the speciality dining restaurants onboard, I would avoid this one. The pizza was border-line uneatable. The pasta meals were pretty basic with the one saving grace the lasagne, which was above average.

We dined at Le Bistro French several times during the cruise as the food was absolutely top notch. My family were disgusted by the idea of ordering escargots (snails) but after trying one of my garlic snail deliciousness, they ended up all ordering the entree themselves next time we dined there.

The beetroot goats cheese salad as well as the duck main are also highly recommended. I ordered duck every single time we dined at Le Bistro as it was that good!

Duck meal at Le Bistro French restaurant Norwegian Star

Moderno Brazilian was a mixed bag. The boys really enjoyed it but my mother and myself didn’t really rate it. I would say the meat was a bit too salty for my personal taste. It does include a really nice buffet which includes sushi and yummy cheeses to start with as an entree which is really nice.

Beverages and Bars onboard

On Norwegian, you have the choice to buy a NCL beverage package which gives you access to all drinks (except speciality coffees like lattes) under $15 in value OR you can buy what you want onboard as you go.

If we are traveling in a group, as we were on this cruise, we usually buy the beverage package as it is more economical if you are consuming a bit of grog. Norwegian often offers “Free at Sea” promos where they throw in the beverage package into the price of the cruise for a few hundred extra. There is also a beverage gratuity added if you decide to purchase the beverage package.

There are numerous bars you can visit around the ship with our favorites being Gatsbys, the Mojito bar, the Bliss lounge and the Whisky bar.

I was very happy overall with the choice and quality of beverages onboard the Star. If you like a good red wine, I would recommend trying the Barkan Classic from Israel which was really nice.

As mentioned, speciality coffees like lattes are not included in the beverage package and I really think they should be when ships like Costa do include them when buying their beverage package. That is my only complaint about the beverages.

One of our favourite wines onboard the Star

We found the staff on the Norwegian Star a little hit and miss. There were some seriously fantastic but others were borderline bad.

The customer service overall at Norwegian needs serious improvement. You could line up for hours at customer service at the ship and have nothing done for you.  Try calling Norwegian on the phone and it’s even worse. No-one in customer service seems to know what’s going on. For example, as a platinum member, you are supposed to get chocolate covered strawberries delivered to the room. Despite asking multiple times, they did not arrive to our room on our last leg of the cruise.

On the other hand, we met a bartender called Rico who was a champion and made our time on the cruise an absolute pleasure. He’s the best – 10/10 for Rico. Rico worked with a bartender called Jeffrey in a duo who was also really lovely.

The staff at the restaurants were also generally really nice and helpful. We often ordered multiple meals and they were really kind and didn’t care how much we ordered or make us feel like pigs. I also ordered extra this or that like extra shrimp in one meal and they were happy to oblige. 

Norwegian helps you with your luggage when you leave the ship, which is a great service, but when I went to collect mine, someone had spilt some large drink on it which I didn’t appreciate. When I went to inform staff at the terminal, it was difficult to find anyone and no-one seemed to care much.

Rating: 6/10

Cabins – Inside State Room

The Norwegian Star is an older ship and the cabins are really started to shown the age of the ship. The cabins are very clean and comfortable but they are showing signs of age like marks on the counter and yellow-ing of the walls.

We stayed in an inside cabin while onboard and it was ample for 2 people but I would not recommend anymore than 2 people staying inside, despite the fact there is a pull down bunk, it would be extremely crowded with more than 2 people. If you are traveling as a family with kids, I would recommend a larger room, like a balcony.

Included in the inside cabin is a double bed, full size floor to ceiling mirror, tv and desk/makeup station with a mirror as well as a private bathroom with a decent sized shower.

If you are traveling to somewhere that has the midday sun in summer, an inside cabin was really great as it totally blocked out the light. My parents usually book a balcony but loved their inside cabin for the light-blocking capabilities. 

Rating: 7/10

What rooms to avoid on the Norwegian Star?

If you are susceptible to motion sickness, you will want to get a room in mid-ship, ideally on the lowest floor possible.

I would also avoid any rooms in close proximity (either next to or above) restaurants and bars due to noise.

We stayed on level 9 (front) and my parents stayed on level 4 (mid) and their room was far more stable. Ours rocked around more when the seas became rougher.

We use wifi to work and purchased the unlimited wifi plan onboard. It was a big let-down. The wifi package costs around $40 USD a day for access, for the fastest package. There are 2 packages that you can choose from: one that is only good for checking emails etc and one that is supposed to be fast enough to stream. Well, half the time it did not work at all.

If the wifi flat out does not work after you buy it, you can visit the Internet Cafe staff and they will normally give you a refund so that is a good saving grace.

Rating: 5/10

Activities onboard

One thing I think Norwegian does really well is that they constantly entertain you while on board. The entertainment schedule you receive on the Freestyle Daily delivered to your room each day is packed with activities to choose from.

There is something to suit everyones taste from Trivia to “Game Shows” like the Newlywed Not So Newlywed show. This game show is a Norwegian classic and if you start to do multiple Norwegian cruises you will see it again and again but it’s pretty funny and doesn’t get old – I will let you experience it for yourself.

There is also karaoke and dance classes you can take part in, amoung other things. They have sadly taken out some of the more “contact activities” since COVID like the ultimate dance off where you partner with a member of the production crew and compete.

We noticed some other thing had also stopped since COVID like the towel animals. I suppose there is too much contact with guests towels for them to continue this cute housekeeping perk.

Rating: 8/10

As I said before, the Norwegian Star is an older ship which means the facilities are nowhere near as high quality as some of the newer and bigger ships in their fleet.

There is a small heated pool with four hot tubs in the middle of the boat as well as 2 hot tubs at the back of the boat for guests use. There are 2 hot tubs at the front of the boat for staff use only. There are no water slides on this cruise or rock climbing.

There is a small basketball court as well as a tiny driving range. The gym area was large and modern. We visited almost every day to try to offset the food we were consuming.

If you have kids there is a kids club area as well.

We visited Edinburgh, the Orkney islands, the Shetland islands, up the coast of Norway, around Iceland and to Greenland. The Star’s itinerary constantly changes based on what time of year you are booking.

Unlike some ships that constantly just go back and forward to the Bahamas or Alaska, the Star visits lots of different ports around the world. For the last few years, the Star has been sailing around South America in December, a route the Sun used to do.

I’m only giving the rating an 8/9 as due to the Star being a cheaper ship it often does not get the dock and has to use tender boats to access the ports of call which is more annoying and takes longer to do.

A cruise port in Iceland visited from the Norwegian Star

How to get the best price?

If you are flexible with dates, you can search Cruisedirect by month for all sailings.

We booked our cruise through Cruisedirect and we recommend you do the same because they consistently have the best deals. We paid around $600 USD per 10 day cruise which was great value.

What we like is that the site is quite user friendly and you can search cruises by price.

7 Night Caribbean Cruises from $469 on Norwegian, only at Cruisedirect.com. FREE Open Bar & Shore Excursions, Plus Up to $500 to Spend On Board!

Norwegian Star Review: Overall rating 8/10

All in all considered, I would give the Star a rating of 8 out of 10. A few areas of the cruise weren’t great but overall I had a really good time and would travel on the ship again.

I would say areas like the lower quality facilities and the older cabins did not overall detract from the enjoyment of my trip. While some of the staff were crap, others we will never forget and really made our journey enjoyable.

The Norwegian Star tends to be selling at a lower price point due to the age and the size of the ship and if you can get a good deal, I would recommend going for it! I think you’ll have a great time.

If you are planning on traveling on the Norwegian Star and have a question or if you have traveled on it as a past guest and have a comment, our readers would love to hear from you as every tip counts so leave a comment below!

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Norwegian Star

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Find a Cruise on Norwegian Star

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Norwegian Star – capable of carrying 2,348 passengers and 1,031 crew members – was refurbished in 2021 as part of The Norwegian Edge program. The ship offers the Spice H2O adult-only escape, where guests can sip cocktails in their lounge chairs by day and party under the stars by night. 

Beyond its adult spaces, this Norwegian ship is well-suited for multigenerational travel. Kids' needs are satisfied thanks to youth clubs, teen lounges and pools, while adults can relax at the Mandara Spa. At night, the entire gang can enjoy a number of onboard performances and a myriad of meal options available at the ship's 13 restaurants.

In terms of lodging, Star's Inside and Oceanview cabins range from 140 to 195 square feet. For even more space, guests can opt for a Balcony, Club Balcony or Suite category cabin.

Norwegian Star sails to destinations in South America and Europe.

Pros & Cons

Refurbished in 2018

Over half of dining venues require extra fee

• Expert Rating » 3.5
• Traveler Rating » 3.5
• Health Rating » 4.6

Norwegian Star ranks # 18 out of 19 Norwegian Cruise Line Cruise Ships based on an analysis of expert and user ratings, as well as health ratings.

• # 18 in Best Norwegian Cruise Line
• # 73 in Best Cruises to Europe
• # 109 in Best Affordable Cruises

Norwegian Star offers a wide range of accomodation options. Browse cabins to find the stateroom that suits your needs.

Norwegian Star contains 11 decks. Find out which features are available on each Norwegian Star deck.

Traveler Reviews

A ship’s traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com , which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. A total of 2041 guests have reviewed Norwegian Star , giving it a rating of 3.6 on a scale of 1-5.

Cruiseline Travel Rating:

Reviews by traveler type.

Ship Photos

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Star Cruises

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Star pisces, review of star cruises.

Star Cruises (starcruises.com/sg/en) is owned by Genting Hong Kong (GHK) and is ranked world's 3rd biggest cruise company, following Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Cruises LTD . The company dominates the Asia-Pacific market and is listed on the Singapore Exchange and Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In 2015, GHK introduced the corporation's newest cruise line brand - Dream Cruises . The new company started with 2 newbuilds - both top-luxury mega-liners, built specifically for the Asian / Chinese market.

Another large Chinese cruise brand is the new company (2015-founded) Adora Cruises/CSSC Carnival China Cruise Shipping . At the following link can be found listed all CruiseMapper's news related to Star Cruises owner Genting Hong Kong .

IMPORTANT : On January 19, 2022, the parent company GHK-Genting Hong Kong Ltd (Malaysia) filed for bankruptcy. On Jan 10th, for insolvency filed the two GHK-owned shipbuilding companies in Germany - MV Werften and Lloyd Werft. On Jan 27th, Dream Cruises filed a winding-up petition with the Bermuda Court for liquidation. and the appointment of the provisional liquidators working with GHK.

NEWS : In late-April 2022, was announced that the docked in Malaysia ships Star Pisces (1990-built), SuperStar Gemini (1992) and SuperStar Aquarius (1993) are listed for scrapping and soon to the beached at Alang India . SuperStar Libra (1988) was last AIS reported on April 7th (in Wismar Germany). The three liners' last crew signed off on May 17th, as new/skeleton crew were hired to take them to the scrapyard for dismantling and recycling.

On August 31, 2022, GHK's Star Cruises Asia Holding Ltd announced entering into a SPA/Share Purchase Agreement to sell its wholly-owned Star Market Ltd (100% of its shares) for US$3,5M/RM15,84M to the company Resorts World Inc Pte Ltd. Resorts World is 50-50 owned by Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay (GHK's former Executive Director) and Genting Berhad (Genting Group's parent company, if which Lim Kok Thay holds ~30% shares). Star Market owns trademarks and intellectual property rights.

Company history

The company's introduction on the global cruise shipping market allowed Star Cruises to tap into profitable and more mature markets in Europe and North America. Its services cater to Asian guests, as well as to Europeans, Australians and North Americans, interested in Asian destinations. Star Cruises chairman was Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, son of the late Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong (founder of Genting Highlands, Malaysia).

Star Cruises was established as an associate of Genting Group of Malaysia, incorporated on November 10, 1993, in Bermuda, with corporate headquarters in Hong Kong China . The first ships of the company were two cruise ferries bought from the bankrupted estate of Swedish Rederi AB Slite. Star Cruises was the world's first major cruise company to recruit Filipinos for its ships.

The company purchased several other used vessels in the following years. In 1998, it took delivery of the first newbuild - SuperStar Leo (now Norwegian Spirit) . Sistership SuperStar Virgo (Explorer Dream/Resorts World One) followed in 1999. The same year Star Cruises acquired Sun Cruises.

In 2000, Star Cruises also acquired NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) , including the subsidiaries "Norwegian Capricorn Line" and "Orient Lines", becoming the biggest global cruise line in the world. Norwegian Capricorn Line's operations were soon merged into Star Cruises. Before the NCL purchase, Star Cruises had several other newbuilds (either under construction or planned), but following the merger, most of them joined NCL's fleet. However, in August 2007, Star Cruises sold 50% of NCL (for USD 1 billion) to Apollo Management, retaining just 28% stake in NCL.

In 2001, Star Cruises founded the sister company "Cruise Ferries", which started operations in July with the passenger ferry Wasa Queen on short itineraries between Hong Kong and Xiamen. These were followed by overnight gambling cruises - roundtrip from Hong Kong and from Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur). Wasa Queen stopped operating and was sold to another company in 2007, and eventually was scrapped in 2013.

The then-largest ship in the fleet - SuperStar Leo - was transferred in 2004 to Norwegian Cruise Line to take over Norwegian Sky voyages. Since 2006, the trend has been that newbuilds were to be constructed for NCL, and the old ships in the Norwegian fleet would be transferred to Star Cruises fleet in Asia.

In 2008, both Orient Lines and NCL America brands were discontinued, with Orient's sole ship, ms Marco Polo, sold to the Greece-based Global Maritime. The same year, the first ship from NCL Norwegian was transferred to the fleet of Star Cruises as SuperStar Libra .

In 2011, Star Cruises received a brand new hull art. SuperStar Aquarius , Star Pisces , and SuperStar Virgo won their new attire. On April 27, 2012, it was announced that Norwegian Dream will join Star Cruises fleet and be renamed to SuperStar Gemini starting service in 2012.

On October 7, 2013, Star Cruises announced that together with their parent company, Genting Hong Kong had entered into an agreement with Meyer Werft, Germany for the construction of one new vessel. The vessel will be able to accommodate 3,364 passengers at double occupancy and will be delivered in Fall 2016.

On February 10, 2014, Star Cruises announced that a second ship was ordered and scheduled for delivery by Fall 2017. On February 9, 2015, the first steel cutting ceremony was held for Genting World at Meyer Werft shipyard. Both newbuilds will weigh 150,000 GT.

In May 2018, Genting Cruise Lines signed a partnership deal with Wirecard (digital payments / online shop development company) for implementing a fleetwide onboard payment system. The system ("Quick Pay") was first installed on World Dream and Genting Dream, then launched on SuperStar Virgo. "Quick Pay" allows the passenger to be in full control of their onboard money spending - including pre-authorized limits, account management, monitoring, paying the total bill at disembarkation. The technology is based on scanning individual QR codes (during check-in, in staterooms or via the ship's intranet network, then selecting the "Quick Pay" option. Payments can be made via Alipay (Chinese online payment platform) and the credit cards Visa, American Express, Mastercard, Diners Club, JCB, UnionPay. The mobile app allows passengers to set up pre-authorized amounts for themselves, as well as for friends and family members.

On March 2, 2018, via letters and emails sent to all booked customers, GHK announced that the liner SuperStar Libra ends its passenger shipping operations for Star Cruises on June 27, 2018. Since August 2018, the vessel serves as a hotel ship in Wismar (Germany) for the shipbuilding company MV Werften. SuperStar Libra is permanently docked (moored) at MV Werften Wismar shipyard's quay. Since April 2016, GHK fully owns MV WERFTEN - a new company incorporating the 3 Nordic Yards in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - the shipyards in Rostock , Stralsund , and Wismar.

(new) Genting Global-Class cruise ships

On May 10, 2016, the parent company GHK (Genting Hong) signed with Lloyd Werft Group in Wismar Germany a shipbuilding contract for all 10 new cruise vessels . In 2015, GHK purchased a majority stake in Lloyd Werft (dockyard in Bremerhaven Germany ). In 2016, GHK purchased Lloyd Werft's remaining 30%, plus the three shipyards owned by Nordic Yards (Wismar, Warnemunde, Stralsund), thus forming Lloyd Werft Group.

Of the 10 newbuilds, 6 are riverboats plus 2 ocean-going (all 8 for the GHK's subsidiary Crystal Cruises ) and 2 are mega liners (for Star Cruises and Dream Cruises). The new GHK liners are sisterships of the Global-Class, each with gross tonnage 204,000 GT tons, LOA length 341 m (1120 ft) and passenger capacity 5000 (lower berths). Ship deliveries were scheduled for 2020 (for Dream Cruises) and 2021 (for Star Cruises). The ship-order has optional 2 more vessels of the same class.

Global Class ships feature artificial intelligence technologies (including facial and voice recognition for expedited passenger services - boarding, disembarkation, payments), robots (performing mundane tasks), Cineplex (theme park), Asian spa complex, multiple Asian dining venues (including fast food), both affordable and premium retail shopping facilities, roller coaster, water park (with 5 slides), surf simulator. Staterooms are designed for Asian families and can sleep up to 2-4 persons. Most cabins are with two (split) bathrooms. Each liner has 8 sets of escalators and 28 elevators.

Vessel's waste and water management system was provided by Evac (world's leading company building integrated waste-wastewater-water management systems). The company's Complete Cleantech Solution package includes a vacuum collection system, wastewater treatment plant, dry and wet waste treatment plant, freshwater desalination plants (based on reverse osmosis). The freshwater generation plants have the capacity to produce over 3000 m3 of freshwater per day. The contract with Evac was signed on January 3, 2017.

On January 9, 2017, was signed a contract with ABB for delivery of Azipods (power-propulsion units), automation systems and the marine software for all 5 new Genting cruise ships ordered for both brands - Crystal and Star. The 3x Crystal vessels are from the Crystal Endeavor series (polar-class expedition yachts).

These are the first purpose-built ships for the contemporary Chinese market regarding onboard amenities and services (food, cultural events, shows, enrichment programs, shopping, tours/excursions. Cruise ticket prices will be affordable. In May 2019 were unveiled more Global-Class vessel details. The ships will have industry's first theme park at sea, largest cinema at sea, world's longest roller coaster at sea, self-guided robotic assistants, industry's largest standard staterooms (sized 20 m2), Bluetooth cabin door locks, touch-screen control panel, smartphone-control of different en-suite functions (mood lighting, air-conditioning, etc).

On March 8, 2018, at MV Werften shipyard ( Bremerhaven Germany ) started the construction of the first of the two Global-Class Genting cruise liners.

The GHK-owned Lloyd Werft Group has the capacity to produce annually 2 mega liners (over 200,000 GT tons each) plus 1 mid-sized vessel (around 50,000 GT tons). Lloyd Werft has 2 new covered drydocks, a new ship launching platform and over 0,5 million m2 of covered fabrication halls.

In December 2018, Genting Cruise Lines announced plans to build smaller-sized (Contemporary-class) ships for Star Cruises from the German shipbuilder MV Werften. The first liner will be delivered in 2023. In 2019, SuperStar Virgo was renamed "Explorer Dream" and transferred to Dream Cruises in April 2019.

Star Cruises shipboard experience

The big appeal to western clients of Star Cruises is that its ships not only take guests around Asia but also let you experience an Asian lifestyle.

"SuperStar" ships were the first to offer the largest number of restaurants afloat. This innovation later passed on to Norwegian's "freestyle dining". SuperStars Virgo and Leo offer Italian, Asian, Japanese and Chinese restaurants. Virgo also has the only Indian restaurant afloat. Naturally, Star Cruises ships offer the usual formal dining room, casual buffets, and poolside grills. All dining venues offer open seating for ultimate flexibility.

Shipboard entertainment features spectacular shows by Chinese acrobats, card rooms (Mah Jong), private rooms for parties, karaoke rooms. Onboard service is friendly, impeccable, discreet. Star Cruises has a no-tipping policy and brags with one of Asian cruising industry's highest crew-to-passenger ratios - one staff member for every two passengers.

Star Cruises predominantly markets Asian travelers. The internationally focused SuperStar Virgo attracted passengers from Japan, Malaysia, Australia New Zealand, as well as adventurous-spirited North Americans and Europeans.

In 2018, Genting Cruise Lines signed an agreement with Okinawa Agricultural Cooperatives Association and Leospo Inc. Following the partnership, on select GHK-owned cruise liners is offered Okinawa-sourced food and local produce.

• The new onboard dining options include the famous Okinawa Wagyu beef and Okinawa Agu pork. The offer is available on select ships and during summer when they cruise to Okinawa.
• In 2018 (April through November), these premium food specialties were available on three boats (World Dream, SuperStar Aquarius, SuperStar Gemini, SuperStar Virgo). The exclusive gourmet dishes were served via specially designed theme menus. They also included the traditional Japanese dishes Shabu Shabu (with ingredients stirred in cooking pot) and Teppanyaki (iron griddle cooked food), as well as BBQ Okinawa Agu Pork and the wok-fried Okinawa beef (with bitter gourd garlic) and Okinawa beef rib eye (with sweet plum sauce).

Genting fly-cruise deals

In June 2017, Genting Cruise Lines (grouping the companies Dream Cruises and Star Cruises) and Asia's largest airline "China Southern Airlines" signed a Memorandum of Understanding/MoU on an exclusive "flight and cruise" partnership in China.

• The deal is for discounted fly-cruise deals on cruises leaving from homeport Guangzhou-Nansha - a premium travel hub and cruise homeport in Asia.
• By this strategic agreement, both China Southern Airlines and Genting combined their resources in sales, marketing, promotions, and product development, creating a competitive travel product by the new "Air+Cruise+Travel" program. The program targets both individual and group travelers.

Free Birthday cruise

Star Cruises offers free Birthday cruise deals on select ships and departure dates. Company's "Free Birthday Celebrant Package" consists of:

• Cabin decorations (set up on the embarkation day)
• 0,5 kg chocolate cake
• Birthday card
• Cruise voucher (at the ship's Reception) is applicable at onboard retail shops and spa/wellness outlets. To use the voucher, you need to swipe your access card at the outlets. When you settle your bill during checkout, the voucher's value is deducted from the total amount due.
• Free Wifi vouchers for 2 passengers for the entire cruise (at the ship's Reception). Wi-Fi connections on Start Cruises ships are available in all public areas and in staterooms.

Genting Cruises Private Island Resort

In early November 2017, GHK corporation signed an agreement with the Macleod Island 's owner "Tint Tint Myanmar Group" (headquartered in Yangon Burma ) to jointly built new cruise ship facilities on this private island.

Cruise line private Islands are among the best-known assets of the world's largest cruise shipping companies ( Carnival Corporation , RCCL-Royal Caribbean , NCL , MSC ). However, most such private island resorts are located in the Caribbean.

GHK's partnering with Tint Tint Myanmar Group makes Macleod Island the first Asian private cruise resort destination. It is opened exclusively for Genting cruise ship tourists visiting the island via ships operated by the GHK-owned Dream Cruises and Star Cruises. Among GHK's other Asian projects are Guangzhou-Nansha Port development (in China) and Port Danang (in Vietnam).

Macleod Island was first visited by a Star Cruises ship (SuperStar Libra) on November 3, 2017. The 5-night / 6-day itinerary also included Penang Malaysia  and Phuket Thailand .

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Despite the global Coronavirus crisis , Genting Cruise Lines (shipowner) didn't suspend its fleet's passenger shipping operations. Instead, the company (parent of Dream Cruises and Star Cruises) expanded its cancellation policy with "Cruise As You Wish". It allowed all existing and new bookings made before or on October 30, 2020 (initially July 31), to be canceled penalty-free up to 48 hours (prior departure).

These bookings were fully refunded (100%) via FCC (future cruise credit). With rebooking, the amount of the fare paid is automatically transferred to any Dream Cruises or Star Cruises itinerary starting before or on March 31, 2021 (initially December 31 2020).

Itinerary of Star Cruises

Following on Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit held in Qingdao, Star Cruises celebrated the inaugural cruise of SuperStar Aquarius from her new homeport Qingdao on June 13, 2018. Guests from the Shandong peninsula and neighboring cities are now able to enjoy journeys to Japanese destinations like Beppu , Fukuoka City , Nagasaki , and Sasebo . The flagship SuperStar Virgo also offered Qingdao homeport itineraries (November 2018 through March 2019).

Star Cruises officially set a record number of homeport deployments done by the same brand in Port Qingdao. By homeporting here SuperStar Virgo, the company became the only cruise line in history to have 2 ships homeported in Qingdao during the same year.

While cruising at sea, passengers enjoy a hassle-free experience onboard SuperStar Aquarius, complemented by Asian hospitality and delicacies unique to Star Cruises. The flagship of Star Cruises, SuperStar Virgo, calls Qingdao homeport starting in November 2018, taking passengers on 4-night voyages to Kagoshima , Fukuoka, and Nagasaki.

Note: Starting operations for Dream Cruises in mid-April 2019, SuperStar Virgo was renamed "MS Explorer Dream" and homeported in Shanghai (China). For the winter season 2020, Explorer Dream was deployed in Australia-New Zealand.

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Norwegian Star Cruise Ship Review: What I Loved About This Cruise

I booked the cruise through my local travel agent taking advantage of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea promotion.  Since I booked a balcony stateroom, I received three perks for “free”. I decided to go with the Premium Beverage Package, Dining Package, and free WiFi. I will talk about whether it was worth it to choose this option instead of a Sail Away Category later on in this article.

But first, here are things I loved about my cruise on Norwegian Star.

One of the main selling points for me on this seven night cruise was that the ship stopped in six cruise ports.  There were no sea days.  After all, you don’t go to see and experience Europe to spend half of your time on the ship.

The cruise departed from Venice, Italy and visited Kotor, Montenegro; Corfu, Greece; Santorini, Greece; Mykonos, Greece; Argostoli, Greece, and Dubrovnik, Croatia.  View Prices on Cruises on Norwegian Star

It’s really hard to choose a favorite since every port was nothing short of amazing.  From the old city in Kotor, the beaches in Greece, the streets of Mykonos, to enjoying a sunset dinner in Santorini, every day of the cruise was epic.

What a great day in Mykonos, Greece during our cruise on @CruiseNorwegian Star. We are definitely coming back here on another cruise. pic.twitter.com/gumL5JkG2B — Cruise Fever ® (@CruiseFever) August 15, 2019

If you’re a fan of the TV show Game of Thrones, you’ll enjoy visiting the Old City in Dubrovnik, Croatia where the show was filmed.

Cruise Starts and Ends in Venice

One of the great things about this cruise is that you start and end in one of the most unique cities on earth. We stayed one night pre cruise and one night post cruise in Venice.  If there was ever a city to stay in and extend your vacation, it is Venice.

Sailaway in Venice on @CruiseNorwegian Star. pic.twitter.com/kTLSIDd0hQ — Cruise Fever ® (@CruiseFever) August 11, 2019

We used Venice Water Taxi for transfers from the airport to our hotel and from our hotel to the cruise port. They showed up right on time and couldn’t be happier with them.

My advice, go and spend a few extra days in Venice, you won’t regret it.

I can’t say enough about how great the crew was on Norwegian Star. There was a friendly smile everywhere I went and had one of the best room stewards I’ve ever had on a cruise.

Traveling can be a bit tricky since my wife has a severe allergy to gluten.  In my first impressions article about this cruise, I talked about how the Assistant Maitre D’ Jasmin went out of her way to make sure she was taken care of.  We can’t thank her enough for all that she did.

The staff on Norwegian Star was one of the friendliest crews I’ve experienced on a cruise.

While I love mega ships and all that they offer, I prefer smaller or medium sized ships when sailing in Europe.  (Especially since cruises in that region tend to be more port intensive)  Norwegian Star, at 91,000 gross tons, is the perfect sized ship for this itinerary.

Although the cruise ship is 18 years old it doesn’t seem like it. Norwegian recently gave the vessel a multi-million dollar renovation and modernization.

One of my favorite features on Norwegian Star is that there are tons of quiet spots on deck once you get away from the main pool. (especially in the front of the ship where there’s also a hot tub)

A walk around the pool deck on @CruiseNorwegian Star while visiting Dubrovnik today. pic.twitter.com/pV4DwOQdgC — Cruise Fever ® (@CruiseFever) August 18, 2019

We ended up booking a balcony cabin on deck 6.  The bathroom had one of the better layouts I’ve seen on a ship. The sink was in the middle with the toilet and shower on the sides.  However, there were sliding doors to both the shower and the toilet.  This feature can come in extremely handy for families.

The cabin had a decent sized balcony and overall it was a comfortable place for us to spend the week.

Since the ship recently updated, our cabin had several handy USB ports for charging electronics.

The main theater had seats on a really nice slope that helped prevent the person in front of you from blocking your view.  There are also some great seats on the side on the top that offer awesome views of the shows.

Dining Options

One of the things that I love about Norwegian Cruise Line is the abundance of food options. I have never seen a ship the size of Norwegian Star offer so many options.  Usually you have to cruise on the newer mega ships if you want 12 or more options for dinner.

If you go hungry on the ship, it’s your own fault.

View Prices on Cruises on Norwegian Star

O’Sheehan’s Bar and Grill is complimentary and open 24/7.

Odds and Ends

At a few of our port stops we arrived earlier than schedules.  This extra time in port was greatly appreciated.

I bought two CruiseNext certificates on board.  They were $250 each and are good for a future deposit on a Norwegian cruise over the next four years. They gave me $250 in onboard credit on my current cruise for buying them. If you are going to cruise again on Norwegian, they really are a no-brainer to buy.

You’ll want to book your dining reservations for specialty restaurants before you get on the ship.  I actually recommend that you book them as far in advance as possible. I waited until two weeks before our cruise to book them and it was hard getting times that we wanted.  Some days the only open times were 9:00 pm.  Considering I like to eat dinner at around 6-7, that just doesn’t work for me.

Cagney’s, the steakhouse onboard, is the most popular specialty restaurant on the ship. For good reason too, the steaks are just incredible.  However, you’ll want to book your reservations as soon as possible.  Since we had three free nights to eat in specialty restaurants, we were hoping to eat there at least twice.

When I went to reserve our dining times two weeks before our cruise, I was only able to book the first night at Cagney’s.  The rest of the cruise was booked solid, apart from 9:00 or 9:30 pm reservations.

Three of the ports on the cruise were tender ports. If you don’t have an excursion booked through Norwegian, you’ll want to get a tender ticket to minimize your wait. In Santorini and Mykonos, the tender was a really short ride so it really helped keep the wait times down.  I think the tender ride in Mykonos was around two minutes max.

There is a Starbucks in the main atrium on Norwegian Star.

Go to the main dining room (Versailles) and skip the buffet for breakfast. They offered great service and you were in and out in no time.

Debarkation was a breeze in Venice.  Since we stayed in the EU for the entire cruise, there was no need to go through customs like you do here in the States.  We just held up our passports and they waved us through.

Free at Sea or Sail Away Category

For the past few years, Norwegian Cruise Line has been offering various types of their “Free at Sea” promotion.  Depending on the stateroom category that you book, you will receive perks that include beverage packages, dining packages, free WiFi, shore excursion credits, and free or reduced airfare.

Now these perks aren’t actually free. When booking my cruise, I had the option to choose a Sail Away Category rate which was $200 per person cheaper.  The Sail Away rates do not include the option to choose the free perks.

Since I needed to buy WiFi for work and I usually buy a few nights in specialty restaurants, I decided to pay the $200 per person more to get the Free at Sea perks. Even though we don’t drink, I thought it would also be nice to have the Premium Beverage Package so we could get smoothies, sodas, virgin cocktails anytime we wanted. You also have to pay gratuities on the full price of the drink package ($100 per day so $20 for tips). But I don’t mind that one bit, the crew works hard and deserves every penny of that.

Since I was going to buy WiFi and at least three nights in specialty restaurants, would only be about $80 per person ($12 per day) more to get the Free at Sea perks and we could get unlimited drinks. I thought being able to get specialty coffees and bottled water anytime we wanted would be nice.

One thing I did not realize is that with the Premium Beverage Package, it does not include bottled water, specialty coffees, Gatorade, or drinks like Red Bull.

You do have the option to upgrade to the Ultimate Beverage Package for $30 per day plus gratuities that includes just about all drinks onboard.

Since we were in Greece in the middle of August, we did order a ton of non-alcoholic drinks to keep us cool.  My wife loved the virgin mojitos and the different smoothies that they offered.

However for me, I’ll probably just choose the Sail Away rate for the next cruise I book on Norwegian.  After all, I do have those two CruiseNext certificates that I purchased on board.  If the beverage package included bottled water, specialty coffees, and Gatorade, that would probably make it worth it for me to get the Free at Sea perks.

You really have to decide for yourself if it is worth it for you.  Everyone is different and not every perk is worth the same to everyone.

Learn the cruise secrets most people don't know and cruise like a boss. Check out Intelligent Cruiser here for a better cruise vacation. (Sponsored)

Allure of the Seas Receiving $100 Million Renovation in 2025

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My wife and I, along with four other couples took the same cruise in July and agree with the top notch quality of the NCL Star. We select our cruises based on the itinerary, and this was fantastic with no sea days and a new port daily. We stayed in Venice three days prior to boarding as Venice is our favorite port city EVER. We used the Allalaguna water bus to get to the port, and also for touring the other Venitian islands. Several of the ports were overcrowded with tourists with anywhere from two to four other large ships in port, which made getting around in the port cities a challenge with crowding and traffic. That was really the only down side to the trip. Thanks to the NCL Star crew for a great vacation.

Did a Baltic cruise on the star a few years back. A Nice ship but, the rooms could be a little larger. We upgraded to a mini-suite for our cruise.

I cruised on THE BLISS in 2018 to ALASKA..awesome cruise. I recommend only NCL.

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I Spent Two Nights Aboard Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser—Here's What It Was Like

Embrace your inner Wookiee aboard the Halcyon

Arthur Levine

Don’t call it, as many people do, the “Star Wars Hotel.”

Sure, you can book a room at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, which debuted March 1 at Florida’s Walt Disney World Resort —but it’s not exactly a hotel. It’s not really a cruise either, although there are hints of a luxury liner as it travels at the speed of light towards interplanetary ports of call. Nor is it quite DisneyBounding , immersive theater, or a live-action game.

“It’s the intersection of all of those things,” says Ann Morrow Johnson, executive creative director with Walt Disney Imagineering and producer of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. “It’s a living story ecosystem where guests can play their part in an epic Star Wars story.” And, oh Baby Yoda, is it epic.

It’s also expensive. Much has been made of the cost to a journey aboard the Starcruiser , which starts at about $6,000, or $750 per person per night for a room with four guests. Many people would find it difficult to pay so much for a two-night experience. But here’s the thing: The Galactic Starcruiser is not for everybody. Nor, it would seem, does Disney intend it to be for everybody.

With 100 rooms (or “cabins” in Starcruiser-speak) that welcome about 350 guests for each cruise, this is an exclusive, boutique experience. Consider that across the more than 25 Disney World hotels, there are over 36,000 rooms. Prior to 2020, the Magic Kingdom , the most popular theme park in the world and one of four parks at the Florida resort, welcomed about 21 million visitors per year, which equates to an average of around 57,000 per day. That is for everybody.

Matt Stroshane / Disney

Should You Take a Cruise Aboard the Halcyon?

So, if the Galactic Starcruiser isn't for everybody, who is it for?

“This is an experience for people who love Star Wars—and the people who love them,” Johnson says. That sounds right.

I consider myself a casual fan; I’ve seen all the major movies and have enjoyed them. As for my two cabinmates who joined me on the cruise, my son has seen the films multiple times and played with the branded toys as a child, while my brother-in-law is a diehard enthusiast who is fluent in the franchise's mythology. In our own ways, we all loved the experience. But my brother-in-law related to it on an entirely different level. After one especially memorable encounter with a character in the “Climate Simulator” room, he had a faraway look and a beatific smile. He summoned me to show me his actual goosebumps.

In addition to having the means and an affinity for Star Wars, potential cruisers should probably also be at least a bit extroverted. While shyer, more inhibited guests would likely appreciate the journey, those who interact with the characters and other passengers, pursue the leads and clandestine missions they are offered, and get into the spirit of the story will find the experience so much richer.

“I hope guests give themselves permission to play, to let go a bit, to suspend their disbelief, and live in a galaxy far, far away,” says Johnson.

The nearly 48-hour experience includes a two-night stay in a cabin, five onboard meals (alcoholic and specialty beverages are extra), an excursion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (with lunch included), and all entertainment and activities. But the whole experience is greater than the sum of its parts.

Everything contributes to the overarching story that plays out in real-time. Guests are ostensibly taking a galactic pleasure cruise aboard the Halcyon, which is celebrating its 275 th anniversary. After arriving at the spartan Galactic Starcruiser Terminal, they board a small launch pod that takes them to the ship. Both the pod and the shuttle that transports passengers on their excursion to Batuu (otherwise known as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge) are not as convincing as, say, the in-flight experience aboard Star Tours . There is little sense of motion and not many visuals to support the illusion. Likewise, passengers do not feel much in the way of movement aboard the Halcyon itself.

Once aboard the ship, crew members greet guests and give them a brief tour of the central, two-story atrium. The sleek starcruiser (which, according to the backstory, has recently been refurbished) sports clean lines and a somewhat retrofuturistic aesthetic. Off the atrium is the Sublight Lounge, which offers themed cocktails and a prominent holo-sabacc gaming table, and the bridge, with its large, panoramic view of space.

What Are the Rooms Like?

Our standard cabin, which sleeps five, was a bit small, but delightfully designed and appointed. It included a comfortable queen bed, two built-in berths, and a Murphy bed. A viewport provided a window to our planet-hopping adventure. It was synchronized so that if the ship made the jump to lightspeed, we saw it in our cabin. Thankfully, it included a blind that we could activate with a button and keep the visuals at bay while we slept.

By default, a “vidscreen” displayed where we were on our journey; however, we could also watch TV from our "home planet" via a themed remote. If we pressed a button on a smaller “vidscreen” and tapped our MagicBand (which all passengers receive), we could summon D3-09, a chatty droid. Using clever technology, she asked us questions and incorporated our responses to carry on conversations and help advance the storyline.

Speaking of droids, we expected to see more of them aboard the Halcyon. There is one, SK-620, that roams the decks, but he spent much of the time held in captivity.

Kent Phillips

What About the Food?

All meals take place in the Crown of Corellia Dining Room. By and large, the food was elevated and outstanding. As at Galaxy’s Edge, the dishes feature Earth-based ingredients that have been prepared and presented in ways that seem otherworldly. Some of the items, like the Tip Yip Chicken, can be found in the theme park land, but many of the items are exclusive to the Halcyon.

Dinner was served family-style with multiple courses and dishes, allowing guests to sample a wide variety of items. One of the entrées, Bantha Beef Tenderloin, was exceptionally tender and flavorful. A particularly striking appetizer, the Iced Felucian Blue Shrimp, was presented to us at the “Taste Around the Galaxy” dinner on the second evening. And by blue, we mean the shrimp was the color of Play-Doh.

“Any cruise you go on has shrimp cocktail for dinner. This is our shrimp appetizer,” says Brian Piasecki, culinary director at Walt Disney World. “It just looks a little different.”

Over a period of six months, Piasecki and his team figured out a way to soak shrimp in a brine made from butterfly pea tea to give the shellfish its distinctive color. To represent Felucia’s colorful, fog-enshrouded planet, the dish, which came with pickled mushrooms and seaweed salad, was presented with dramatic smoke emanating from it.

Passengers also get to enjoy another cruise ship staple, the buffet, for breakfast and lunch. Meals are presented in bento box-like containers that fit snugly into compartments embedded in trays, another neat and vaguely futuristic design touch. Kale Porridge—polenta made with kale, egg “worms,” and mushrooms served over plant-based sausage gravy—was a wildly distinctive breakfast entrée.

“We want to tell our guests a story through food,” adds Piasecki.

Who Do You Meet and What Do You Do?

The first evening is a dinner show that features galactic superstar Gaya. Performing a mix of pop, blues, and new-agey music, the “ Twi’lek ” singer had a wonderful voice and stage presence. Her songs and patter, however, included a subtext with hints of the struggles her people and planet were facing.

As with Gaya, encounters with other characters, including the singer’s manager, Raithe Kole, and Captain Riyola Keevan, slowly reveal that all is not as it first seems aboard the Halcyon. This is Star Wars after all, and intrigue and revolution are in the air. The actors were uniformly wonderful, fully committed to their roles, and expert at engaging with passengers.

Guests can choose to support smarmy First Order Lieutenant Harman Croy or help members of the Resistance who have infiltrated the ship. Or, they can play it down the middle as an independent scoundrel looking out for themselves. Their stories unfold differently depending on the alliances they forge and the choices they make.

Passengers receive tailored “comms” from the characters throughout the course of the experience. These interactive messages come via the "datapads"—iPhones that include the Play Disney Parks mobile app—that they are issued at the beginning. The datapads also have other features and functions such as a map of the ship, tools that hack into systems and provide other uses, and an updated list of events to help keep passengers on task.

Would-be Jedis get to brandish a lightsaber in a training activity aboard the ship. The blue-hued weapons provide haptic feedback when users properly intercept beams of light. Passengers also get to participate in bridge training and learn how to operate the ship’s navigation, defense, and other systems. Skills learned there may come in handy later if guests are invited to participate in a secretive mission.

Likewise, the excursion to Batuu, which takes place on the second day, can take on additional urgency when characters send you on fact-finding missions and other escapades on the planet. Galactic Starcruisers receive special Lightning Lane passes that allow them to bypass the lines at both Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. The wonderful Galaxy’s Edge attractions are even more enthralling when they are part of the larger Halcyon experience.

No matter what story arc the passengers choose to follow, everything resolves with a wholly satisfying grand finale at the end of the second evening. In addition to the Halcyon’s characters, Kylo Ren and Rey join the fray. The action includes lightsaber battles, impressive displays of the Force, a swelling John Williams score, and everything you’d expect from a climactic Star Wars scene.

Would you think less of us if we admitted we got a bit choked up? After spending two intense days among the characters, we experienced an undeniable connection to them and to their plights. We were emotionally engaged and spent after the ordeal. For at least a little while, we lived in a galaxy far, far away.

The Orange County Register. "What An Attendance Cap Could Mean For Crowded Disney Parks In the Coronavirus Era." May 22, 2020.

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Norwegian Star Cruise Review: A Great Ship, A Great Model, A Great Experience!

While Most companies are continuously going bigger and flashier, the Norwegian star, which can now be considered an “Older ship” still strikes all the chords needed to have an exceptional cruising experience, thanks to Norwegians Cruise Line which are, in my opinion, one of the best in the game! Over my more than 20 cruises on all the most important cruise lines out there, I have gathered enough experience to be able to judge of what quality cruising is and I can sense when they go the extra mile on details, as well as when they “cut the corners short…”. Fortunately, I am happy to report that once again, Norwegian impresses me and definitely doesn’t cut any edges for what you pay!

Overall, an Older ship, Comfortable and not overcrowded

In This Article...

• 2 In a Nutshell…
• 3 Ship Comfort
• 4 Theater Shows
• 5 Room Comfort
• 6 Entertainment onboard’s “fun factor”
• 7 Service Quality
• 9 Cleanliness
• 10 Quality/Price
• 11 Check-in / Check-out
• 12 Fellow Passengers On-Board
• 13 Conclusion
• 14 The Norwegian Star in Pictures
• 15 Pin to Pinterest
• Check-in / Check-out: 6/10
• Entertainment onboard: 6/10
• Theater Shows: 9/10
• Ship Common Areas 8/10
• Ship Comfort: 8/10
• Room Comfort: 8/10
• Service Quality: 8/10
• Food: 10/10
• Cleanliness: 7/10
• Quality/Price: 8/10
• Overall satisfaction: 9/10

In a Nutshell…

Quantum Ultra Class : The Norwegian Star, part of the  Conquest-class  ships operated by  Carnival Cruise Line , brings freedom and flexibility to cruises spanning the  Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America, and Transatlantic  routes. Recently Refurbished : As part of  The Norwegian Edge  program, the ship underwent extensive enhancements to its  staterooms, public spaces, restaurants, bars, and lounges . Spice H20 : A new addition to the Norwegian Star,  Spice H20  is an  adult-only escape . By day, guests can sip cocktails from reclined lounge chairs, and by night, it transforms into a lively dance venue beneath the stars. World-Class Spa : The  Mandara Spa® , also recently refurbished, offers pampering services including facials, massages, acupuncture, and more. Ship Details : Gross Register Tonnage : 91,740 tons. Guest Capacity (Double Occupancy) : 2,348. Length : 965 feet. Width (Max Beam) : 125 feet. Year Built : 2001. Crew : 1,031. Cruise Destinations : Set sail from one destination and end in another, experiencing extraordinary journeys across the globe. Find special deals and reserve today on the Norwegian Star by clicking here .

Ship Comfort

One thing I learned while sailing the newest Monster ships out there with all the bells and whistle is that in the cruise industry, “bigger is not better”… In fact, this is in most cases a trick to cramp more rooms and people on the ship while providing the same amenities. This is what will make the ship feel overcrowded and massively decrease the comfort experience of the ship, which is a big factor of appreciation for me. This is where the Norwegian Star marked its first points I believe, with a lot of amenities and space for its size! Even when sailing at full capacity, the ship almost always felt spacious, balancing the passengers throughout the ships different rooms.

Result for Ship Comfort: 8/10

The Norwegian Star at Port

Theater Shows

Wow! This was such a surprise! The 4 shows of their production shows from their official Norwegian star dancers and signers were just fabulous. I had always enjoyed Norwegians theater shows on previous cruises, but I couldn’t remember how good this was! And I wasn’t the only one! On every one of their shows, especially the Vegas one, pretty much everybody was on a standing ovation. This must be one of the best choreographies I have seen on any ships! The other representations were also interesting, and since it was a Cross-Atlantic cruise, they had brought various artists to fit the empty days. Some were good, others were not. None were at the level of the 4 shows from the signers and dancers. The one thing I thought could have been improved is that for a transatlantic cruise of 14 days, they only showed the dancer’s show once each, the same amount as a normal 7-day cruise.

Find special deals and reserve today on the Norwegian Star by clicking here .

They must have used the transatlantic cruise as a little “break” for their performers, but I would have appreciated for them to repeat the shows, as they do on others Ships I have sailed, such as the Norwegian Epic, for example. Yes, it was that good! Norwegian has a reputation of hiring the best of the best quality dancers, while other ships hire seasonal and amateur dancers. Another thing I appreciated was the theatre’s design, which was big and spacious, set on two floors, which provided comfortable and great elevated views from the row in front. Everybody would get a good view of the shows wherever they would sit in the theater. Good Job Norwegian Star!

The Theater

Room Comfort

In General, the room was comfortable, but being a little older of course, this factor will play in the comfort experience. I felt like there were strange smells at times in the room, which was also noted by other passengers. Nothing major and it was dealt with quickly by the room attendant. On a positive note, they had a rehaul in 2018, which means they refurbished some areas of the ship, as well as some things in the room, such as USB ports, a great addition in these years of technology.

Result Room Comfort: 7/10

The Interior Room

Entertainment onboard’s “fun factor”

This is the biggest lack of the ship in my opinion. Out of the 5 different bands or artist playing, only one of them was actually good in my opinion: The Latin American duo which amazingly only a few people seemed to like. There were two bands of Asians playing that always seemed to be off-key, missing notes all the time and seemed unprofessional to anyone having at least an average musical ear! That amazed me that Norwegian would have such novice musicians onboard compared to their theatrical shows which were so high standard! The Soloist guitar player was good though, but not exceptional. The same goes with their pianist, which only played piano versions of pop music in the evenings, no variety such as classical or jazz, whatsoever. This is a shame since some Cruise lines hire some incredibly talented musicians, and none were provided on this cruise. The only talented classical music artist was an incredible Ukrainian violinist which was hired for her onstage performance. The show was amazing though, I just felt they could have provided such talent in their bars.Find special deals and reserve today on the Norwegian Star by clicking here .

The other big lack was their animation team, pretty much unexsistant! Some cruise lines make a great effort to entertain guests with games, animations, etc… The team was barely visible and would do the bare minimum… It Needs some attention urgently to boost the “fun” factor on the ship.

Finally, One of my biggest criticism on this ship was that there was no Nightclub. Yes, No nightclub on a ship of this size is unacceptable. They would only use one of the bars and would end up always empty after the animation team would do their little 30 minutes “dance with the crowd” daily before sending their DJ which was barely visible. No good… I later understood that they used the prime location for a nightclub on a ship, the panoramic view bar up at the highest floor, for their “exclusive guests only” section, leaving the rest of the ship without any decent place to go dancing the night away. A very bad choice of amenities which will hurt the Norwegian star’s reputation again on the “fun factor”.

• Stardust Theater : Picture a grand theater with plush seats, twinkling lights, and anticipation in the air. The  Stardust Theater  is where magic happens. More than  1,000 guests  gather to witness top-notch production shows. From Broadway-style musicals to jaw-dropping acrobatics, this theater hosts performances that’ll make your heart skip a beat.
• Club BOTR : Step into a time machine and groove your way back to the ’70s. At  Club BOTR , the Norwegian Production Cast and Show Orchestra transport you to the hottest disco club. Imagine the soaring melodies of Styx, the disco beats of Donna Summer, and the rock anthems of Queen. Your name’s on the guest list—so shimmy, shake, and be whoever you want to be!
• Deal or No Deal : Ready for some high-stakes drama? In this exhilarating show, contestants play and deal for cash. It’s a battle of nerves, intuition, and a dash of luck. Grab your play cards and join the suspense. Will you strike a deal or go all-in?
• Paradis : Parisian chic meets bohemian allure.  Paradis  is a mysterious, urban show inspired by the City of Light. Imagine an unknown club in Paris where the up-and-coming mingle with the elite. Visual feasts, sultry moves, and a touch of intrigue—it’s all here.
• Spinnaker Lounge : Late-night revelry awaits at the newly-relocated  Spinnaker Lounge . Dance the night away, sip cocktails, and let the music carry you. The stern of Deck 7 becomes your private party zone.
• Mandara Spa and Salon : Need a break from the spotlight? Head to the serene  Mandara Spa . Unwind with massages, facials, and rejuvenating treatments. Or take a dip in the  Thalasso Therapy Pool —total relaxation guaranteed.
• Internet Café : Stay connected even at sea. Norwegian Star has an onboard internet café. Share your adventures, check emails, and send virtual postcards to jealous landlubbers.

Result Entertainment onboard: 6/10

Service Quality

Amazing service is provided everywhere on the ship, to the highest standards in the industry! Great job to the team. Usually, on American ships, I noticed that the service is always better to attend to the demanding American customers compared to the European lines. Norwegian’s crew will always give that extra smile needed to make every seem happy, which is greatly appreciated!

Result Service Quality: 8/10

WOW! I must admit that very rarely will I hand over a 10 in a category, but here, I must give it to Norwegian. The food was plainly spectacular! Actually, out of all the ships that I have been on (over 20 from different lines), this has got to be the best food of any ship! First, the buffet was complete and different every night! The deserts were great too and the seating area was also well designed to provide enough space for everybody. Opening hours of the buffet were also extended for early and late breakfast and lunch.

But where the Norwegian Star shinned to my eyes was at the Versaille and Aqua restaurants provided at no extra cost. The quality of the food that was provided was, repeatedly incredible and I was surprised at how the chef reinvented every meal to the highest standards, every single night. This is a very difficult task to achieve since these meals need to be made in mass, for thousands of customers over an eating period of only about 4 hours. But I have not experienced even one bad night out of the 14. Special “hats down” for their desserts, which were just incredible, the best in the industry. I believe their chef was Portuguese and Filipino, and they definitely deserve my greatest respect for their work!

• Aqua and Versailles : These two main dining rooms offer traditional-style dining. Aqua, with its contemporary ambiance, invites you to savor your meal in a calm, cool setting. Meanwhile, Versailles transports you to French Renaissance splendor, complete with gold accents and gilt. Whether you prefer a cozy table for two or lively company, these dining rooms accommodate your wishes.
• O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill : Picture this: chunky wooden tables, ocean views, and a sense of intimacy. O’Sheehan’s, open 24 hours, serves up classic comfort food. Mac ‘n’ cheese, burgers, fries, and nachos—perfect for those late-night cravings. The only thing missing? A bowling alley, but hey, we’ve got the ocean right outside!
• The Garden Cafe : This bustling buffet on Deck 12 caters to all appetites. Breakfast omelets, waffles, and fresh salads at lunchtime. As the sun sets, it transforms into a casual dinner spot. Grab a plate, explore the stations, and let your culinary adventure begin.
• La Cucina : Deck 6 hosts this Italian eatery, where pasta and pizza reign supreme. Imagine twirling forkfuls of linguine while gazing out at the sea. Buon appetito!
• Moderno Churrascaria : Brazilian steakhouse vibes await on Deck 13. Neutral decor, private dining, and succulent meats—this is where the Star Bar once stood. Savor each juicy bite as you sip a mojito from the Sugarcane Mojito Bar nearby.
• Le Bistro : Norwegian’s signature French-Mediterranean restaurant resides on Deck 6. The ambiance matters almost as much as the food. Dim lighting, linen-draped tables, and Continental delights. Escargot, anyone?

Ginza : Now let’s talk Asian flavors. Ginza, free of charge, specializes in Asian recipes. Reserve early for the teppanyaki room—it seats only 12 lucky guests. And don’t miss the sushi bar with its whimsical “train” delivering delectable morsels.

Topsiders Bar & Grill : Picture yourself poolside, sun-kissed and hungry. Topsiders offers casual fare—think burgers, hot dogs, and refreshing drinks. It’s where you unwind after a dip in the pool or a lively dance at the deck party.

Result Food: 10/10

Great Food Selection on the Norwegian Star

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is very important on any ships since germs spread fast, especially on a 14 days ocean crossing. And Norwegian did a great job on this. They would have a “washy washy” staff in front of every entrance to the buffet for people to clean their hands prior to getting their food. A tiny detail for some, but an important one. For example, on a recent review, I have made about the MSC Meraviglia, absolutely no hand sanitizer would be found at any entrances of the buffet, which would result in so many people getting sick and coughing, contaminating others too. Totally unacceptable. Norwegian is one of those companies that take cleanliness seriously and this is well appreciated.

Result Cleanliness: 8/10

Quality/Price

Norwegian’s prices are well balanced in general. You get an above average experience, for an affordable price! Since I always liked my experience with Norwegian, I wouldn’t even hesitate to pay a little more on a cruise to be able to be with them. In my opinion, the two best cruising companies are Royal Caribbean and Norwegian. And while Royal Carribean ultimately really rarely lowers their prices, I feel like Norwegian has one of the best Quality/Price Ratio in the industry. Once again, well done Norwegian!

The only points to watch out is their overpriced “extras” like their excursions for example. They could also improve their internet service, which is absolutely overpriced compared to the competition in 2018. The internet is a necessity and with their actual prices, most passengers would prefer staying disconnected to pay their “at the minute” prices, in some plans 3 to 4 times higher than on other ships.

The service charge is also overpriced, at 14.50 $ per person per day. With 2 to 3 passengers in a room, this adds up very quickly and makes you feel like you are paying the crew’s entire wage out of that service fee. On the day they let people adjust the service fee, amazingly long queues formed at the reception to adjust the service fee. The service fee has always been part of the way cruise companies make their money, passing back the wage bill to the customers who already fully paid their cruise. But at 14.50 USD, it is a little hard to justify, while other cruises ask much lower, around the 10$ mark which I feel is more adequate.

Result Quality/Price: 8/10

Check-in / Check-out

This is one area that I didn’t appreciate. Being a Silver member of Norwegian, one of their promoted advantage of the status is to have priority Boarding. While in Rome, since there were so many senior passengers of premium and up class, they decided to drop the priority boarding for anybody lower than premium… False advertisement? After asking them they claimed this is written somewhere on the member’s terms, that they can deny this privilege at any time… It Must be written in the fine prints somewhere I couldn’t see it because everywhere I looked. Anyhow, outside this unfortunate check-in event, I felt it was a little bit chaotic and the experience was not pleasant, which could be the fault of the port of Civitavecchia where I boarded. Disembarkation day in Miami was also very painful, as they had 2 full-size cruises disembarking in the same terminal, and all passengers of both ships would be sent to the same immigration queue! This created a 1+ hour wait queuing and is not normal in Miami with other cruise lines. MSC, for example, is doing a much better job with their newer terminals, as well as Royal Caribbean. But anyhow, I cannot rank this category higher than a 6.

Fellow Passengers On-Board

Norwegian passengers are usually mostly North American and some Europeans, many times Norwegians for some reason (the company is actually American, not Norwegian). The age is also spread and would average usually between 45 to 55 years old. However, this cruise was very different since it was a transatlantic cruise. The average age was official of 65 years old and the night club was empty every single night with everybody back to their cabins after 11-12 pm. But this happens on every transatlantic crossing on every company. I have actually met people that were on the Norwegian star just after me and stated that the crowd came back to its normal levels, with ages averaging between 45 to 55 years old.

Sailing on the Norwegian star was a surprising experience! While there were some things lacking like the “fun factor” and onboard entertainment, Norwegian excelled amazingly at other areas such as their theater shows and the amazing food in the restaurants. It was overall one of my favourite cruises I have done and will push me to be a loyal customer to Norwegian in the future. I will definitely try to board other ships to compare them and see if this success is repeated! If you happen to find a good deal on the Norwegian Star, my recommendation would be to book it soon enough!

Result Overall satisfaction: 9/10

The Norwegian Star in Pictures

Amazing Chef Meals in the Restaurant

The Restaurant

Piano Cafe at the Atrium

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• Royal Caribbean International

Star Trek: The Cruise VI Navigator of the Seas 2/24/23 - 3/3/23 Review

By rimmit , March 16, 2023 in Royal Caribbean International

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For those that have never been on a charter cruise this is my review of the Star Trek: The Cruise Charter by ECP (Entertainment Cruise Productions) from Feb 24 - Mar 3 on the Navigator of the Seas out of LA.  This was my first charter cruise, but have been on 40+ cruises, am D+ on RCI, and been cruising since 1990, so I have a decent amount of comparison.  On a charter cruise, C&A status does not matter and there are no benefits.  That being said I have only been on one cruise since March of 2020 so limited comparisons for the post pandemic cruising experience.   I normally do not write cruise reviews, but I could not find a review of the Star Trek: The Cruise prior to going so thought I’d make one for anyone considering it.  This will be a pretty long and comprehensive review so it will be broken down into parts as I find time to write it.

This is our first cruise I have gone on since my wife was run over a car last June in Zimbabwe.  It’s been a long recovery road and we booked this cruise as it was a bucket list thing and because the entertainment is the highlight so we wouldn't have to worry about her mobility as we were uncertain where she’d be in her recovery.  Thankfully she is able to walk, albeit painfully, around the ship in short bursts, and only required a wheelchair going through the airports.  So making progress!  

TL;DR - WE LOVED IT AND WOULD GO AGAIN!!!

Cost and Booking Process

By the time we decided to go on the cruise it was sold out.  These cruises traditionally sell out 9-10 months in advance.  At that point you need to join a Facebook group for the cruise and find someone that can't go and have them transfer the reservation to you.  There is a $500 reservation transfer fee, which is typically paid by the seller of the cabin.  The cancellation policy is brutal and the only way you can get any money back is by selling your cabin.  There is no point of return when you book a Star Trek  Cruise.  The only way out is to find someone to take the cabin.  So we transferred an inside cabin to our name and the transferee paid the $500 dollar fee.  The total was $4960 dollars all in cost for an inside cabin for 2 people on a 7 day cruise to Mexican Baja with stops in Mazatlan, Cabo, and Puerta Vallerta.  So definitely NOT A DEAL for those deal hunters.  However, if you are going on a chartered theme cruise, you are obviously not deal hunting and going for the experience and energy.  We had previously done these ports on the Vision in 2008 before RCI pulled out of LA so we truly were doing this strictly for the Star Trek experience.  

If you are a previous ECP cruiser you can get a discount which equates to around $500 dollars for an inside cabin but we were not.  The $4960 includes a $350/person fee that covers port taxes, fees, and gratuities.  So ALL gratuities are paid to ECP.  No gratuities are paid to RCI at all.  There is no daily charge to the cabin.  It is totally done via ECP.  The fee covers everything a typical cruise would cover including most ECP Entertainment.  It does not cover actor signatures, photos with the actors, and some of the actor led activities that involve resources such as wine tastings, tequila tastings, charity breakfasts, stocking decorating, cupcake decorating, etc.  These are extra and only about 75-100 people will be able to do those.  Those are all booked ahead of time and sell out in minutes once going live, so you cannot book those once boarding.  Really the only thing you can book after boarding are photos and signatures.  

Embarkation

Well this was a total disaster.  Not RCI’s fault as it was just bizarre weather in LA for the couple days prior and the day of embarkation.  On embarkation day it was 40’s, there were flood warnings for LA, hail, and POURING the rain with 20-25 MPH winds.  We landed at Long Beach airport rather than LAX as it was closer to the terminal.  For those that don't know, LGB is primarily an outdoor airport, as in you walk outside between buildings, there is no jetway, baggage claim is outside, etc.  So minimal cover from the elements when getting off the plane and going to baggage claim.  OMG, we got poured on in the rain getting our luggage, and walking to the cab stand as it’s all outside with no cover.  They are clearly not equipped to handle poor weather at all.  We walked to the taxi stand and went straight from Long Beach to the cruise terminal.  

At the port it was still pouring the rain, and they used a small tent to corral people until embarkation is opened up.  This is a very small tent.  We had the first embarkation time available at 1100 and arrived right on time, but there was no space left in the tent.  Needless to say, us and several hundred people were in a line outside the tent getting poured on in 40 degree weather with 20-25 mpg winds in LA.  It was actually warmer in our hometown in KY ironically.  Not exactly the way to start our vacation, but we didn’t care.  This was our first real vacation without kids in years, and our first cruise since the accident, so as far as we were concerned we might as well have been in heaven.  Everyone despite the rain was in relatively good spirits as everyone was just so excited to go on the cruise.  The energy was palpable just waiting in line to board.  

After about 30 minutes of freezing and getting soaked we finally made it into the terminal.  As with any RCI embarkation these days it is incredibly efficient with a bunch of people on iPads, just checking people in.  For a charter cruise, your C&A status does not matter.  You get zero benefits. No priority embarkation, no drink vouchers, absolutely nothing.  All you get are the cruise points for the cruise. But it really doesn’t matter as there is zero line once inside the terminal  and once you get past security it's not even 5 minutes to board.  My wife was impressively able to walk all the way through the cruise terminal and to Windjammer with no assistance.  There were wheelchairs available, but she was determined to do it and she made it!

Not exactly LA weather.

Inside, warm and changed.  Much better!

Demographic

Given the peak of Star Trek popularity was in the 90’s, not surprisingly the average age of people on the ship ranged between 45-60.  I was definitely one of the younger ones on board, and I am 41.  There were maybe 10 teenagers at most that were not part of the guest talent on board by my best estimates.  The crowd definitely came to party for sure.  Much more so than any cruise I’ve ever been on out of the US.  Most people are either empty nesters, or Adults without kids or Single with no kids, but we did meet some couples that had kids being watched at home by a grandparent, but that was rare.  Not surprisingly, a large contingent of people I met were in science related fields, but there was quite the variety of people on board.  More so than a normal cruise in the off season.  Not quite as diverse as a Spring Break cruise where you get all sorts of families from everywhere on board.  People came from all over the world for this cruise, with the farthest I heard being New Zealand.  Most of the people on board have cruised before, but I’d say the majority have only done Star Trek Cruises.  Eighty percent of the boat is composed of previous Star Trek Cruisers so it has a VERY high repeat rate.  If they were not exclusive Star Trek Cruisers, as in someone who has ONLY cruised on Star Trek: The Cruise, the average number of cruises seemed to border between 4-7 for experienced non exclusive cruisers.  I did not meet any pinnacles on this boat, but since there is no C&A status or really any status of any kind on this boat except for a very small VIP program (only 200 can buy that package option), everyone is equal.  Makes for a very utilitarian environment.  

The VIP program is new for this cruise, and many were worried it would impact the experience.  I can say it did not impact my experience although I had never been on a Star Trek Cruise before.  Everyone I talked to who had been on the previous 5 said the VIP program did not impact their experience either.

Once you board you get another large thick Star Trek themed pamphlet printed on nice thick paper stock giving a general schedule of the next 7 days with all the major headlining events and times along with a general daily schedule that is subject to change, the itinerary for the boat, bios of the actors, etc.  It’s basically like playbill for when you go to play except the size of a magazine.

ECP did an excellent job doing their best to theme the boat where they could.  From placing Star Trek Signage on elevators and windows, having the interactive screens displaying Star Trek signage and graphics, playing Star Trek Music, overlaying windows and store fronts with Star Trek references, they did a very good job.  Also placed Large Star Trek signs etc around for photo ops.  They had a prop museum of the new show Star Trek: Picard take up the teen area.  All the lounges and restaurants were rethemed and renamed.  There are too many too list on the retheming but the only ones with original names were Cosmopolitan Club, Windjammer and Royal Theater and the MDR.  Pretty much everything else was renamed with a signage overlay.  

Elevators were themed to turbo lifts.

There were Star Trek themed drink menus in all bars.  

This included all of Playmakers which was themed to a Star Trek Baseball team that existed in the show, the main screen by the pool, and ALL Screens everywhere, including the elevator screens.  

The daily cruise compass was also themed to Star Trek.  These were delivered daily to the cabin without asking your cabin steward. 

The stateroom TV had 12 channels devoted entirely to Star Trek shows and movies which was really nice.  When you walked the hallways, you heard Star Trek Music.  They had Star Trek Boardgames and books in the Library.  Nearly every shop, bar and restaurant were renamed for the cruise with new signage.  The company had door and window decorating contests so about 20-25% of doors that you passed had some type of Star Trek Decoration on it which was nice. Some with VERY elaborate overlays with puzzles, giveaways, etc.  Overall it definitely felt very Trekkie.

On Embarkation day they also had a Star Trek Themed cake.

Still to come, next time on Star Trek: The Cruise...

Entertainment

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Thanks so much! Your detail is fantastic. I'm looking forward to reading more - as you stated, it's difficult to find reviews of Star Trek cruises.

PolicromaSol

This looks like it was fantastic!

My husband and I used to go to various conventions when we were younger. I don't know that we'd ever find a good time to do this one, but it's nice to have a peek in on what it was like.

Did they change up the food?

Interesting.  I got the email for next year’s cruise, and it looks like a good itinerary. 

10 hours ago, PolicromaSol said: This looks like it was fantastic!   My husband and I used to go to various conventions when we were younger. I don't know that we'd ever find a good time to do this one, but it's nice to have a peek in on what it was like.   Did they change up the food?

The food is the exact same as a typical cruise, They did have some Star Trek themed cupcakes but that’s about it.  I will talk more about the food when I get to that portion of the review, but unfortunately, per ECP it is very difficult to change to themed foods and menus.  They state the bar staff is very nimble and can adapt easily to new themed drinks but food is a whole nother logistical ball game.

It was absolutely incredible and worth the premium cost,  we had an absolute blast.  Best cruise we’ve been on and we’ve done a lot.

11 hours ago, mjmiller said: Thanks so much! Your detail is fantastic. I'm looking forward to reading more - as you stated, it's difficult to find reviews of Star Trek cruises.

Yes.  I couldn’t find any so we went into it blind just basing off what we heard at conventions and the Star Trek Facebook groups.  Hopefully, this will help people make a decision in the future.

Still to come:

HappyTexan44

On one hand hand, it sounds expensive, but the price is in the same ballpark as the Star Wars Experience at Disney World.   I forget the name.   I'm not talking about the ride, but in the special hotel.   

hollins2007

Thanks for this!  We just booked the ST cruise for next year.  Our first one (not our first cruise though).  This makes me more excited - especially as a couple of friends from our church are going too!

irishgal432

Great Review!

Thanks for this review, @rimmit !  I’m so glad your wife is well enough to travel and enjoy that.  I’ve thought of you guys often, after reading about what happened.  Hope you both had a great time! 

WorkingForOBC

Your review is entertaining and informational! Thank you so much for sharing. I don't know that a Star Trek cruise is in our future, but it's really interesting to read about, and learn more about charter cruises.

Thanks for the review and photos.

15 hours ago, HappyTexan44 said: On one hand hand, it sounds expensive, but the price is in the same ballpark as the Star Wars Experience at Disney World.   I forget the name.   I'm not talking about the ride, but in the special hotel.     

Galactic Starcruiser perhaps? 🙂  

23 minutes ago, Kathscof said: Galactic Starcruiser perhaps? 🙂  

Yes, that is it!     Vague memories are that it cost around 4K and lasted 48 hours.  But since it was completely not an option, I could be very off on the prices, and maybe they've come down.  Even if I had money to spare, I wouldn't do that, but this cruise would be totally awesome. 

17 hours ago, HappyTexan44 said: On one hand hand, it sounds expensive, but the price is in the same ballpark as the Star Wars Experience at Disney World.   I forget the name.   I'm not talking about the ride, but in the special hotel.     

The Galactic Starcruiser is 2 nights for not even 48 hours for 5,000 for two people or 1250/person per night.  It is totally different in that it is a LARP experience (Live Action Role Playing). You see characters but no actors, not that you’d ever get Harrison Ford or Mark Hamill on a Star Wars cruise, but maybe some b-listers.  It’s all in universe though so you get pretend you are in a Star  Wars Adventure.

Star Trek: The Cruise is a themed charter cruise.   So it’s not like you get to pretend you are aboard the Enterprise, but the fun is in the entertainment and the actors.  The price is $4960 for two people in an inside cabin for 7 nights.  So that comes to $354/person per night.  Much cheaper than $1250/person per night for the Galactic Starcruiser.

I have wanted to do the Starcruiser for the last year but it’s just hard to justify that 1250/night cost per person for something that isn’t even out of the country.  

The ST Cruise was amazing though and well worth the premium price tag.  Having the actors roaming around is great and the energy is much higher than a typical cruise.  Having everyone on board with a similar interest really amplified the energy and overall vibe of the ship.

I'd probably literally faint if I saw one of half those actors at an elevator.   I am the last person to get star-struck, but Star Trek is an exception.  

Was the guy that played Captain Pike in the recent series there?    He totally stole the "Best Star Trek Captain" Throne.   

Nice review  I believe I have been booted off a chartered Star Trek cruise or 2 back in the day @Ourusualbeach 😇

Ourusualbeach

26 minutes ago, molly361 said: Nice review  I believe I have been booted off a chartered Star Trek cruise or 2 back in the day @Ourusualbeach 😇

Probably made some money on those as well. 🤣

18 hours ago, hollins2007 said: Thanks for this!  We just booked the ST cruise for next year.  Our first one (not our first cruise though).  This makes me more excited - especially as a couple of friends from our church are going too!

You won’t regret it!!  It’s so much fun!  Originally I thought it’d be a one and done thing for us because it is pricey for a 7 day mainstream cruise, but if we can get child care we’ll go again for sure!!  It’s so much better than a regular cruise!

17 hours ago, barbeyg said: Thanks for this review, @rimmit !  I’m so glad your wife is well enough to travel and enjoy that.  I’ve thought of you guys often, after reading about what happened.  Hope you both had a great time! 

Thanks for thoughts!  It’s so great to see her walking again and getting back to a normal life.  At the rate she’s going she may be able to walk through an airport in a couple months!!  If you asked me 5 months ago if that was ever gonna happen I woulda thought hell would freeze over before she’d be able to walk that far!

14 hours ago, WorkingForOBC said: Your review is entertaining and informational! Thank you so much for sharing. I don't know that a Star Trek cruise is in our future, but it's really interesting to read about, and learn more about charter cruises.

A Star Trek cruise definitely isn’t for everyone that’s for sure as it’s an incredibly niche population, but if you are part of that niche it couldn’t be more fun!

what a great review, my husband would absolutely loved it.  Did everyone dress up on the different nights or was it OK to stay in street clothes?

4 hours ago, rimmit said: You won’t regret it!!  It’s so much fun!  Originally I thought it’d be a one and done thing for us because it is pricey for a 7 day mainstream cruise, but if we can get child care we’ll go again for sure!!  It’s so much better than a regular cruise!

Yeah, my husband and I like to at least have a window so we know what time of day it is (we splurged for a balcony for our anniversary cruise on Mariner in a few short months).  But seeing the prices, we just booked an interior.  (I know if we do it again, there is a bit of a discount as a returning guest).   But I'd rather save money for excursions and other add-ons.  Curious, do they provide autographs/photo ops, like a regular convention?  If so, when do they list those prices and what days/times that's available?

6 hours ago, HappyTexan44 said: I'd probably literally faint if I saw one of half those actors at an elevator.   I am the last person to get star-struck, but Star Trek is an exception.   Was the guy that played Captain Pike in the recent series there?    He totally stole the "Best Star Trek Captain" Throne.     

Anson Mount was on ST: TC IV.  As was Ethan Peck, the guy that plays Spock The only Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Actor this last time was Jess Bush w(Nurse chapel).  She definitely was out and about the ship a bunch.

2 hours ago, clochette said: what a great review, my husband would absolutely loved it.  Did everyone dress up on the different nights or was it OK to stay in street clothes?

It’s basically like Vegas.  Wear whatever you want when you want.  No one cares. No debates on MDR dress code here.

Based on the theme. I’d say anywhere from 70 percent to 30 percent participation on the night.  The highest was the Captain’s Gala (Starfleet uniforms/formal wear) and the Costume Party.  The lowest was the Bajoran Gratitude Festival (most people unsure what to dress up as, but many went tropical) and the Knights of the Holodeck (Ren Faire stuff).  You wont feel out of place no matter what you wear.

1 hour ago, hollins2007 said: Curious, do they provide autographs/photo ops, like a regular convention?  If so, when do they list those prices and what days/times that's available?

Just like a regular convention there are paid photo ops and autographs.   They release these many many months in advance with a price list.  There is notable discount for pre buying these photo ops and autographs.  Like 20-30 dollars based on the celebrity.  The times that the actors sign are not released until you get on the ship, and they do photo ops starting Day 1.  So if you have a specific outfit for a pic, you need to be ready on Day 1 and bring it onboard manually in case a photo op lands before you get your luggage back.

While they say you shouldn’t take selfies with the celebrities many did and most don’t mind.  Just try to be respectful so it doesn’t turn into a selfie-a-thon.

VirginiaIsForCruisers

Great review! This was my fifth Star Trek cruise and I had a blast, even though the weather put a damper on some of the events, especially the sail away. I'm happy next year will depart from Florida again.

Since it is probably mostly Trekkies that are watching this thread.   Anyone have an idea for a female Vulcan name for a goat?   We have baby goats and one has face markings that look like heavily slanted eyebrows, so at the moment she is called "Vulcan."   

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A Suspected Blood Clot Landed Me in a Cruise Ship Medical Center

Advanced equipment and medication make it easy to care for passengers and crew.

Jill Schildhouse,

As I limped on board a cruise ship after a flight from Phoenix to Barcelona, Spain, my heart began to race: This was exactly how my left calf felt when I’d had a blood clot . Sure, that was nine years ago, but it’s not a sensation I’d ever forget.

I was dumbfounded, as I’d taken all the proper precautions my hematologist and vascular surgeon insisted on before each of my frequent long-haul flights: I took my blood thinner, wore medical-grade compression socks , drank plenty of water and got up to walk and do calf raises every hour or two in flight. How could this be happening again? And right before two back-to-back cruises around Spain, Italy, France and Malta that my dad and I had been looking forward to for months.

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Yet there I was on embarkation day, terrified I could die of deep vein thrombosis in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea because I wouldn’t be able to receive proper medical attention. As soon as we put our belongings in our cabin, I looked at my dad and said, “I have to go find the ship doctor and see what they say — before the ship leaves port in a few hours. I may have to disembark and go to a hospital.”

Visiting a megaship’s medical center

Off we went, down to a lower deck to the medical facility. I walked in and explained to the person at the desk that I suspected I had a DVT and asked what diagnostic capabilities they had on board. Over the course of the next 90 minutes, a nurse did a thorough intake, took my blood and performed an ultrasound.

Soon, I saw a doctor who was able to definitively rule out a blood clot. The diagnosis? A pulled muscle from running through the Philadelphia airport to catch a tight connection — she said that the symptoms between that and a DVT are so similar (pain and tenderness in the leg, leg swelling, muscle spasms) that it’s a good thing I double-checked given my history. An onboard massage worked out my calf muscle and two days later I was able to join my preplanned excursions (the ones I missed were refunded by the cruise line since the medical team knew I couldn’t participate in them).

I was surprised and impressed by the advanced equipment they had on board, and asked if that was common on cruise ships. The doctor explained that it was on many cruise lines, since they not only have to treat passengers, but the crew as well. In fact, 50 percent of passengers are older than 50, according to the “Cruise Lines International Association 2023 Global Passenger Report.” And, according to National Council on Aging research, nearly 95 percent of adults 60 and older have at least one chronic condition, while nearly 80 percent have two or more. It stands to reason that the medical capabilities would be robust.

But the MSC World Europa is a megaship that can carry up to 6,762 passengers on board — would travelers on smaller ships have the same luck if they needed medical care?

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Small- and midsize ships are also fully equipped

“Our ships are equipped with the most modern medical equipment available in the medical market,” says emergency physician Ibrain Soto, M.D., the doctor on board Crystal Serenity , a ship that holds just 740 passengers. The ship follows the recommendations of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) regarding the minimum amount of medical equipment to carry on board cruise ships. This includes an onboard laboratory, X-ray machine, cardiac monitor and defibrillator, an EKG, ventilator/respirator, infusion pumps and an onboard pharmacy.

Soto says the ship’s medical team includes one doctor and two nurses, who are required to have intensive care and emergency medicine training, plus more than five years of experience in the field. “We are able to diagnose and treat all medical and trauma emergencies and provide initial stabilization on board,” he says. “Our medical team is also trained to manage chronic medical conditions for our crew and passengers of any age group. Ninety percent of our guests are over 50, so we are very familiar with the management of medical conditions of patients in advanced age groups.”

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Ships even smaller than Serenity — like Scenic, a cruise line with a fleet of ships that carry fewer than 230 passengers — also have robust capabilities. In fact, according to Liz Baugh, Scenic’s lead medical consultant, who served as a medic in the Royal Navy, this line has an X-ray machine, blood analyzers, ECG and a range of diagnostic tests, alongside a fully equipped emergency cart with a manual defibrillator and a military-grade portable ventilator. And the cruise line has even gone so far as to scrutinize data from the last four years to build a robust pharmaceutical list to remain as self-reliant as possible.

“We risk-assess everything based on the worst-case scenario and work our way back from there to make sure that we have covered the risks within our control and have a plan for things that may come up unexpectedly,” says Baugh. This quest for self-reliance is especially crucial given Scenic’s prevalence in some of the most challenging maritime environments: ships that sail in polar regions, where there is a lack of resources.

What can’t cruise ships handle?

While cruise ship capabilities are seemingly endless, there are some medical conditions beyond their purview. This includes more serious dental issues, though doctors can do some basic (temporary) dental repairs. “Other areas that are beyond the ship’s capabilities would be complex cardiac or abdominal issues requiring specialist investigations,” Baugh says.

She explains that Scenic also has 24/7 access to a clinical second opinion service. Depending on the outcome of that discussion, Baugh says the doctor will then assess the urgency of the condition and make a plan. Based on the degree of the emergency, Soto’s team would consult with a shoreside medical consultant. The passenger could be sent ashore in the next port of call for further examination or medically evacuated directly from the ship, either by ground or air ambulance. A heart attack or stroke would need “urgent medical evacuation,” Soto says.

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How much does onboard medical care cost?

I had to do a double-take when I received my own bill — it was 166.15 euros (about $180) for my visit, both tests and the pain relievers they prescribed. If this had gone through my insurance in the United States, it would have cost quite a bit more.

The medical facilities don’t use insurance. However, detailed paperwork will be provided should you want to initiate a claim with your insurance company. The cost of medical care is added to the overall cruise bill and paid at the end of the cruise.

Both Baugh and Soto explained that the costs are kept as low as possible to avoid deterring people from seeking medical care when it’s needed. Also, the medical department isn’t used as a revenue driver, Soto says. And if the bill grows because of longer or more advanced care, “we will always provide our guests with a proper internationally coded medical bill and a letter for them to be able to [file a] claim from their insurance once they return home,” Soto says.

Tips for avoiding an onboard medical visit

Hoping to avoid the medical center altogether? Baugh advises knowing your limitations and remembering that you are on a moving platform, which can affect balance. “On holiday, normal routines can be somewhat changed, so think carefully about your medical needs and make a plan for factoring in the effect that a change in routine may have on any medication that they normally take,” she says.

And always bring extra prescription medication, since, as Soto says, guests often forget to bring their medicine or run out during the cruise. In these cases, he says the medical team will provide the medication through its onboard pharmacy for the duration of the cruise. And if the medication isn’t available on board, the doctor will write a prescription and the cruise line’s port agent will purchase it locally.

Jill Schildhouse is a Phoenix-based freelance writer whose work has been published in AAA , U.S. News & World Report , USA Today , Outside , Travel + Leisure , Southern Living and other publications. She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and has visited 38 countries. ​​

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