Your BEST NCL and STAR tips needed!

I'm planning on the Mexican Riviera on the Star for early next year. Personally, I've cruised NCL numerous times but we are going with some first time cruisers and some first time NCLers. I'd like to compose a list such as the tip that steak and (?) some other things can always be had for dinner even if not on the menu. A fact I had forgotten on my last cruise.:rolleyes: And made a note of it again but still can't remember the other items.:confused: My brain is so full of STUFF. Of course, that could be denial and maybe it has something to do with age?:eek:

 

So I thought you guys could offer up your best tips in general, and especially tips for the Star. Any great places to hang out? Are there any great little quiet spots for the day and/or a great lounge for night? A favorite bar? Restaurant? Any and all info appreciated!:D

Ribs in Endless Summer are fall off the bone and melt in your mouth divine....

Lot's of meat lovers in the group so they'll surely appreciate that tip! Thanks!:)

There's a quiet hot tub all the way forward that not many people find especially in the first few days of the cruise.

 

The Bier Garten serves hot pretzels... good.

 

The spa pool area is very relaxing. Costs money but nice and no kids.

 

The movie theater is great for when you have had too much sun. They show movies several times a day.

 

The barbeques done poolside on sea days is very good.

 

Don't miss SoHo, Le Bistro and Cagney's.

I've been glued to these boards since last August, when I booked my 5/19 cruise to Alaska and I've compiled a lot of info. If you would like it, give me your email address and I'll shoot it rite over to you.

The hamburgers served at The Grill by the pool, as well as those at the Blue Lagoon are to die for!

I've been glued to these boards since last August, when I booked my 5/19 cruise to Alaska and I've compiled a lot of info. If you would like it, give me your email address and I'll shoot it rite over to you.

THAT would be great. I guess I can post email here? Specialwraps@aol.com

 

And for all the others with the FANTASTIC tips, I knew you guys would come through.:p Thanks!

For those who have been on the Star several times. when do you think is the best time to go? I still have never gone on a cruise out of L.A. & would love to go on the Star. ;)

For those who have been on the Star several times. when do you think is the best time to go? I still have never gone on a cruise out of L.A. & would love to go on the Star. ;)

 

We love the Mexican itinerary because it's 8 days!

 

We've done twice in Hawaii, once in Alaska and twice in Mexico. The Star only does Mexico and Alaska, plus the repositioning cruises

We have been on the Star twice and love the early part of Feb. Gives you a break from the cold in our part of the country (WA) and the weather is actually very warm down south 80-90. But not as bad as later in the spring. Then too hot 90+ and high humidity:)

For those who have been on the Star several times. when do you think is the best time to go? I still have never gone on a cruise out of L.A. & would love to go on the Star. ;)

Linnealee, we have gone on two -- a 7-day repositioning cruise from LA to Vancouver, and in February we did the 8-day Mexico. If you're interested in Mexico, I think the best months are January, February and March, both for the "cooler" weather and because the whales are there.

 

NCL offers repositioning cruises from LA every May (sometimes in late April), ending in Vancouver, and in September from Vancouver back to LA. In fact, on September 23, the Star has a 14-day cruise, leaving Vancouver (with stops in at least San Francisco and LA), and then doing the Mexico round-trip. If you're interested in a shorter trip, you can disembark after the first portion of the trip in LA. We have done several of the little repo trips, and they are really fun and relatively inexpensive.

Make sure you check out the deck plans and choose your cabin accordingly. We did not and had an OV with the disco directly beneath us! Made for some very sleepless nights.

 

Other than that, the Star was my first NCL cruise and it was lots of fun! To make it even better, we got to meet Cruise More Often and her husband!

The hamburgers served at The Grill by the pool, as well as those at the Blue Lagoon are to die for!

 

Amen to that.....they're HUGE, too!.

Hi Flower Child,

 

I would love to recieve your tips! We are going on the Star soon, in 2 weeks.

Could you please send them to: anitainwa at comcast dot net?

Thank you!

FlowerChild - Thanks for the tips.

Thank you all for all the tips. Others that are sailing can only sail in late March but I'm afraid I'm going to miss the whales then. Has anyone been in the latter part of March and still seen lot's of whales? Or do I have to book a seperate one for myself in February? Not that it would be a bad thing.:D

We just returned from the Star this past Saturday. Our first NCL cruise. We did not try any of the speciality restaurants...and we were fully satisfied with our food choices.. The burgers at the Blue Lagoon were truly fantastic!!! Keep in mind that they will tell you it could take 20 minutes for the burgers to cook. We ate at both main dining rooms....the menus are the same.

 

We watched one movie in the theater...Dream Girls...I think they show the movies in your cabin at the same time...but it was great in the theater.

 

Our favorite bar was the Jave Cafe. Look for Siti (city). She was wonderful and always remembered our preferences.

 

We gambled ALOT and the casino staff recognized us. I have to say...this was the MOST generous cruise casino of all (this was our 11th cruise (total...first on NCL). They offered many free drinks. I was thrilled when we were boarding the bus for the airport and I hear someone calling my name over and over. It was a manager from the casino...getting ready to leave for her day off...but she took the time to say goodbye to me! We are reaching Diamond status on another cruise line...but I will not hesitate to sail NCL again...although we feel it is a cruise for us alone (no kids...no family).

Wanted to ask again if anyone had been in late March to Mexican Riviera and how the whale watching was. I've read it's mostly in the early months of Jan. and Feb. but am hoping late March is also a possibility. Anyone gone then and had luck?

there should be some humbpacks still around. the migrate down there from nov to apr. but many start the trip back home in early march.

one trip to hawaii the 1st of apr, we had some young males hanging around. (avoiding the long trip home) but the mothers and calfs had left.

since they don't eat (at all) during this time, they are hungry and want to go home!!

For those who have been on the Star several times. when do you think is the best time to go? I still have never gone on a cruise out of L.A. & would love to go on the Star. ;)

 

 

IMO the best time to go is just before schools break in the winter...well at least they call it winter, but here in L. A. it's only kinda sorta...I usually go 1st or 2nd week in December, as the rates are very low, and no this is not a complaint, but, there aren't quite as many kids. Hope this helps

 

Bill

It's not on the menu, but you can request steak and lobster at Le Bistro. Yummy! Much better than Cagneys; same price. Also, you can request the chocolate fondue even though it's no longer listed on the menu.

Other than that, the Star was my first NCL cruise and it was lots of fun! To make it even better, we got to meet Cruise More Often and her husband!

Aw, thanks, OceanDreaming2. We had so much fun on that cruise with you and your DH. That was a great group.

 

The burgers at the Blue Lagoon were truly fantastic!!! Keep in mind that they will tell you it could take 20 minutes for the burgers to cook.

We never had to wait for the burgers to cook at The Grill, so you might want to try there first.

 

NCL_Cruiser mentioned the ribs at Endless Summer. We shared the Il Popo, which we loved!

We just put a hold on 11152 for the PC cruise on 9/23. I noticed that it is located below the Market Buffet--is this a noisy area? Any info will be greatly appreciated.

I have been scrolling all the STAR info--it is great!. Thanx to all who contributed.

I've been glued to these boards since last August, when I booked my 5/19 cruise to Alaska and I've compiled a lot of info. If you would like it, give me your email address and I'll shoot it rite over to you.

 

Wow, would you please (suzequdavid@yahoo.com)? DH, DD and SIL (her first cruise) are doing the Star 6/9. Love NCL and free style, but love getting tips about particular ships! Thx. Suzequ:)

Hi Just got back from a fabulous week on the Star. Loved it. Here are a few tips: The cabin WALLS and DOOR are metal! We brought a few magnetic "clips" (office supply store). They were FAB for clipping the Daily papers, maps, tickets, etc. to the wall in full view; or clipping notes to one another on the door.

 

There is NO HAIR CONDITIONER on the ship. bring some. Rooms have soap and shampoo (we brought a bar of soap, as my hubby does not like liquid soap).

 

Get up early to make a reservation for Cagney's if you want to eat there.

We never got in. But we did make the Teppenyaki Grill and LOVED it! Fabulous meal, really fun (only have 3 seatings a night with 12 per seating).

 

No need to bring beach towels.. the pool deck and spa have plenty for the taking.

 

We joined the spa for a couple days. Well Well worth it.. steam room, sauna, huge hot tub, peace and quiet, not very crowded, very relaxing. Go there on the first day and pay to join for a day or two ($18 per day).

 

OUr cabin had a hair dryer and coffee pot-- no need to lug my hair dryer from home... bathrooms were nicely designed!

 

Brought a few Command HOoks from 3M (sold all hardware, variety stores), which stick great without damaging walls, easy to remove. I hung up some necklaces, jewelry, clothes, and the hooks came in handy.

 

Bring a few extra hangers, esp. so you can rinse out an item and hang it in the shower to dry.

 

When you sign in to get on boat, ask them to punch a hole in your Ship ID card.. bring your own neck Lanyard, and you can conveniently hang it from your neck and not lose it.

 

Have a great cruise.. we did! :) :) :)

Great tips! Welcome home and glad you enjoyed yourself, sounds like you had a blast.