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Name: Tom Roach
Email: TomRo@fox.com
Age: 35
Occupation: Information Technology Director
NumberOfCruises: 8
TravelAgent: No
Ship: NCL-NorwegianStar
SailingDate: 5/17/98
Itinerary: Calica,Cozumel,Roatan
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 85
FoodRoomService: 85
CruiseStaff: 75
CabinAmenities: 85
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 85
CabinQuietness: 75
FoodMidnightBuffets: 70
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService: 85
ShoreExcValue: 85
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 70
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 70
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 75
EntertShowLounge: 80
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 85
CruiseActivities: 80
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram: 50
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 85
EmbarkDisembark: 80
DiscoNightclubs: 85
DeckSpace: 80
Stabilization: 80
ShopsOnBoard:
SpaceRatio: 85
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 03 Jun 1998
Time: 11:39:06
Remote Name: 204.48.23.142
Remote User:
Comments
Overall the cruise was a great experience, with a few notable exceptions. First the NCL
Air/Sea program does not work as well as it does from Miami or San
Juan. Our flight into Houston was delayed 45 minutes, and there was no one from the cruise
line to meet us in the terminal or the baggage claim area. I left my
wife at Terminal A and Walked to Terminal B to look for a NCL Representative. I finally
found her and she seemed unconcerned that they forgot about us. We
were running so late a t that point that we had to hire a taxi to take us to the ship. We
arrived at the port at 4:25PM, and rushed on the ship at 4:30PM. The
boat sailed at 4:40PM. NCL did reimburse us for the taxi. After we caught our breath we
went up on deck and began to relax and get into the cruise spirit.
The other negative worth noting is the listing of the boat. The boat has a continually
list that I would estimate at 4-5 degrees. You get use to it rather quickly, and
it only really effected me while I was running on the treadmill. It was hard to stay in
the middle of the treadmill while the boat is listing.
Now that I have covered the bad, lets talk about the positives. The boat is an older boat,
but is well maintained. Our rooms were spacious and well furnished. A
Cabin Stewardess was the best that we have had on nine cruises. Our room was always
straightened, even if we left for just a few moments. Our waiter and Bus
Boy service was as good as we have had on other cruises. The food selection was good, and
it was prepared well. Overall the service was better than service
that we have received on past NCL Cruises.
The ports were great for active people. In Calica we went to Excaret. We swam through the
cave and then spent the next couple of hours exploring the beautiful
park. At Cozumel we went on our own to the beach and snorkeled a nice reef that we have
visited several times. We also bought all of our souvenirs at Cozumel,
hearing that little was available in Roatan.
Roatan was a great island. We opted to sign up for the Dolphin Encounter. It was an
experience that I will always remember. After the Dolphin Encounter we
took a taxi to west end beach, where we snorkeled an incredible reef system. Out of all of
my snorkeling (Over 50 dives in the Caribbean) this was the best. A
couple warnings about Roatan. First, if poverty bothers you then Roatan is not an island
you will enjoy. Besides Haiti, it is definitely the poorest island that I have
ever seen. Second, the cruise ship recommends that you bring insect repellent; that
recommendation should be followed. I usually do not get bothered by
insects, but got eaten alive by sand fleas. Lastly, the roads in Roatan are in poor shape.
In conclusion, I read a lot of horrible reviews concerning the Norwegian Star, and boarded
the ship fully aware that this could be a bad experience. I was quite
pleasantly surprised to find that nearly all of the issues in past reviews have been
resolved. The air conditioning worked flawlessly, the crew was informative and
friendly, and the accommodations were great. We got a great deal on this cruise and it was
well worth what we paid. If you book this trip knowing that your
sailing on an older vessel that leans a bit you should have a good time.
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