Overall Score

BERLITZ'S RATING
	Possible	Achieved
Ship	500	419
Accommodation	200	156
Food	400	293
Service	400	284
Entertainment	100	66
Cruise	400	302

How this score is created

Norwegian Star is a state-of-the-art vessel for Norwegian Cruise Line – the first of a pair of sister ships, the second being Norwegian Dawn, which debuted in 2002. It has a “pod” propulsion system. A large structure located forward of the funnel houses a children’s center, and, one deck above, the two outstanding “villa” suites described in the accommodation section above. The ship’s hull is adorned with a decal consisting of a burst of colorful stars and streamers.

There are plenty of sunloungers (in fact, the number is greater than the number of passengers carried). Water slides are included for the adult swimming pools (children have their own pools at the ship’s stern – out of sight of the adult areas).

Inside the ship, you’ll be met by a truly eclectic mix of bright colors and decor that you probably wouldn’t have in your home (unless you were color-blind) – and yet somehow it works extremely well in this large ship setting that is meant to attract young, active types.

Facilities include an Internet Cafe (with 17 computer stations), a 1,150-seat showlounge with main floor and two balcony levels, 3,000-book library, card room, writing and study room, business center, karaoke lounge, conference and meeting rooms and associated facilities, and a retail shopping complex of 20,000 sq. ft (1,800 sq. meters). In 2004, a 929-sq. meter (10,000-sq. ft) casino was added.

Children of all ages will get to play in a superb wet ’n’ wild space-themed water park (complete with large pool, water slide, and paddle pool). They also get their own dedicated cinema (DVD movies are featured all day long), a jungle gym, painting area, and computer center. Even the toilets are at a special low height. Teens, too, are well catered for, and get their own cinema (with DVD movies), discotheque with dance floor, and whirl­pool (hot) tub

With so many dining choices (some costing extra) to accommodate the tastes of an eclectic mix of nationalities, the amount you are prepared to spend will determine what your final cruise and dining experience will be like. To make the most of your vacation, you will need to plan where you want to eat well in advance, and make the necessary reservations, or you may be disappointed. More choices, including more dining options, add up to a very attractive package, particularly suitable for families with children, in a very contemporary floating leisure center that really does provide ample facilities for enjoyment, as well as provide you with the opportunity to immerse yourself in all things Hawaiian. The dress code is very casual (no jacket and tie needed, although you are welcome to dress formally if you wish).

While the initial cruise fare seems very reasonable, the extra costs and charges soon mount up if you want more than the basics. Although service levels and finesse are sometimes inconsistent, the level of hospitality is very good – made so much better and brighter by the addition of a great number of Asian female staff rather than the surly and inconsistent Caribbean staff still found on some of the smaller NCL ships.

Despite the company’s name (Norwegian Cruise Line), there’s almost nothing Norwegian about this product, except for some of the ship’s senior officers. The staff, incidentally, includes many Southeast Asians who have service experience aboard parent company Star Cruises’ big ships.

Gratuities for staff (cabin attendants, dining room waiters, etc) are added to your onboard account at $10 per person, per day; you can reduce or otherwise amend these if necessary before you disembark, but in May 2005 the gratuity became a non-adjustable “service charge.” In addition, a 15% gratuity is added to all bar and spa treatment accounts. The onboard currency is the US dollar.

The hustling for passengers to attend art auctions is both aggressive and annoying. Standing in line for embarkation, disembarkation, shore tenders and for self-serve buffet meals is an inevitable aspect of cruising aboard all large ships – even those designated as “Freestyle”.

Reaching room service tends to be an exercise in frustration. Communication (particularly between the many new Asian staff and passengers) remains weak. Mindless “art auctions” are a real turn-off on a Hawaiian cruise.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008