Check it off the Bucket List! Panama Canal on the NCL Star October 1-16...with pics!

I’m finding that writing this review has been like what I imagine wrestling a crocodile would be like. Tricky to say the least! It was a long cruise (15 days!) and my reviews of 7-day cruises can take on “epic” proportions. Well, let’s dive in, shall we and see where we end up. Hopefully you’ll be with me at the end.

We’d booked this cruise in March of 2010, a full 18 months out. Wanting an aft cabin, we knew we had to move quickly (hey, we could always cancel if we changed our minds!). I left a message for my PCC telling him I wanted an aft balcony. By the time he called me back, we told him we wanted an aft suite. What can I say? We’re weak. LOL Actually we decided that a 15-day cruise screamed for a suite, and the Star has the wrap-around balconies on decks 8 and 9. Perfect for a Panama Canal cruise. Our first cabin was deck 8 on the port side. After the renovation to the Star and reading reports of the noise from the newly moved Spinnakers, I watched the cabins and was able to move to deck 9 on the starboard. Come final payment time, our cabin on deck 9 on the port side opened up and we moved a final time to the cabin I wanted to begin with. It’s nice when persistence pays off!

Day One

I won’t spend a ton of time on the pre-cruise activities, but want to mention that the Crowne Plaza in San Pedro, about a mile and a half from the Port of Los Angeles, can be booked through Priceline for $65. The hotel was perfectly fine and clean and runs a free shuttle to the port. Wanting to avoid the rush (which was turned out to be non-existent at 10:00 am) DH and I hooked up with another Cruise Critic on our roll call to rent a cab. The first car that showed up was a Toyota Prius. We looked at the three of us and at our six pieces of luggage (plus carry-ons) and went, “Nah”. The Prius drove off and we requested a van. 30 minutes pass with no van so we throw in the towel and ask for 2 cars. Another Prius arrives and don’t you know we all managed to fit in that thing? Three of us squished in the back and luggage piled in the trunk and front seat. I wouldn’t recommend it for a long ride, but for 5 minutes it was fine, especially when the windows were rolled down for elbowroom. Total cost for the three of us? $7.50. Good deal.

The delay at the hotel rendered our timing perfect. We spent a couple of minutes watching Princess passengers get into our line by mistake, then the doors to the terminal opened, and we were able to begin the boarding process.

We moved quickly through security, but when we went to check in we were turned away from the area clearly marked “VIP/Suite” to the Latitudes line. If you don’t get the answer you want the first time, ask someone else. We asked someone who looked a little more authoritative where we should go and he directed us to the VIP line. Ha! We checked in, met the concierge Patrick, and before I had time to think about being bored; we were being escorted onto the ship. I glanced at my watch and saw it was 11:39. Awesome!

We dashed to deck nine, through the closed doors (we aren’t rookies) to drop off our carry-on bags. Clarizia, our room steward, rushed up to us, assuring us that she’d prioritized our room and it was ready for us. Clarizia would turn out to be one of the best room stewards we ever had. Super efficient (she could make-up the cabin faster than anyone I’ve ever experienced) and very friendly, she made our 15 days wonderful.

Lunch would be the first of many at Cagney’s. I had my beloved asparagus salad and a shrimp and scallop dish with risotto that I found quite tasty. DH had the fettuccini and thought it delicious.

Off to the Bier Garten for the first of many sail aways. The Star would sail about an hour past her scheduled time as she needed extra provisioning due to the length of the cruise. No worries. The sun was shining and the beer was flowing and it was the first day of our cruise!

Back at the cabin getting ready for dinner, Lucky, our butler, stopped by to introduce himself. All we asked for at that point was some milk so we could make cappuccinos later. He takes a page out of Clarizia’s book for swiftness. I swear a minute didn’t pass and he was back with a carton of milk.

Dinner was at Cagney’s as well. I enjoyed the lobster bisque as always. It’s not the traditional bisque that you’d get in New England, but is very good.

Cagney’s was a bit deserted this first night. In fact we could walk in any specialty restaurant the entire cruise. I chalk it up in part due to the length of the cruise (figuring people were spreading out the budget), and also the older demographic. A line for Versailles began forming every night by 4:30, so you get the idea.

After dinner we wandered off to the casino where DH tripled his money playing craps. While we were at the casino I tried to order a bucket of beer. I was told we couldn’t buy them there anymore. I figured this was limited to the casino and shrugged it off. When DH was done gambling for the night we stopped by Spinnakers to purchase our bucket and were told we couldn’t.

Now I admit we don’t really like change, but we really don’t like change that has a negative impact on the passenger. We were told that it was now policy that you could only by buckets of beer at outdoor bars. WTH? This was confirmed by the Beverage Manager Gianina Butiseaca in a rather blunt manner. We asked her what outdoor bar was open at that time and she looked at her watch and said, “None”. Well we went off on her at that point (not proud of that at all) but really it was her demeanor that set us off more than the situation. We didn’t really want 6 beers at this point, just wanted to stock the fridge. But most managers I’ve dealt with would have given us the 6 beers as the policy is new and just told us to know what to do in the future. I think the situation was poorly handled on all sides.

Well I put that all out of my head when we turned in for the evening. All-in-all, it was a wonderful first day. As I snuggled down into my comfy bed I looked forward to the first of many wonderful sleeps at sea.

Tomorrow the meet and greet and our first sea day in two cruises!

Wait, what - is that all for now? I was just getting into the read. :D

I look forward to the rest of your review and pictures as I am liking this already. You are such a tease to only post so little. :p

Great job on your report CubeChick. The pictures are fantastic as well. As you can see from my signature, I am pretty new to cruising but your trip is one I would love to do some day!

The Star looks like a very nice ship.

Looking forward to reading more!

Enjoying your review! I wanted to go on that cruise but just couldn't get that kind of time off of work. I hope it went well for you!

our Panama Canal cruise onboard the STAR was our BEST to date--just the whole package from the crew, ship, itinerary to the FANTASTIC people we met onboard and became frens with!

we did Miami to LA...would do it again in a heartbeat!!!

I'll be here until the end!!! On the Star in December...I can see our balcony in your 1st picture!

i have my panama canal cruise coming up soon enough, i want every last detail :)

Looking forward to seeing your pictures and reading about it.

I'm taking my first cruise next summer and taking my daughter to the Bahamas (her choice).

But for years and years the one thing I've always wanted to do is take a Panama Canal cruise.

Tried talking my husband into it but can't convince him. He spent time in Panama while in the military. So everytime I mention going to him, I hear "Been there, done that, got the hat."

Guess I'll be cruising it without him someday!!

Thank you so much. I cannot wait for your updates.

And another thank you for putting decent sized good quality in-line photos. I don't know about anybody else, but I really get tired of 1) clicking a thumbnail, new tab opens, see photo buried amongst advertisements, close tab, repeat 600 times, or 2) inline photos that are too small and blurry, and if you click them it opens a tab with a blurry photo 8 times the size of my screen.

This thread will be such a refreshing change from the norm.

Wait, what - is that all for now? I was just getting into the read. :D

You are such a tease to only post so little. :p

I wholeheartedly agree!! My TV is broken and I am bored and I thought I'd get a juicy review to read....gosh darnit, guess I'll just have to go to bed now. :(

I'm taking my first cruise next summer and taking my daughter to the Bahamas (her choice).

 

But for years and years the one thing I've always wanted to do is take a Panama Canal cruise.

 

Tried talking my husband into it but can't convince him. He spent time in Panama while in the military. So everytime I mention going to him, I hear "Been there, done that, got the hat."

 

Guess I'll be cruising it without him someday!!

Oohhh Ooohhh ooh! I'll go, I'll go!!!! (she says as she raises her hand and waves it :D)

Thanks for sharing your trip and your pictures with us. Can't wait to read the rest! We have been cruising since 1986 and have always wanted to go on a Panama cruise but it just never seem to work with our schedules.

Looking forward to your "epic" review!:)

Looking forward to seeing your pictures and reading about it.

 

I'm taking my first cruise next summer and taking my daughter to the Bahamas (her choice).

 

But for years and years the one thing I've always wanted to do is take a Panama Canal cruise.

 

Tried talking my husband into it but can't convince him. He spent time in Panama while in the military. So everytime I mention going to him, I hear "Been there, done that, got the hat."

 

Guess I'll be cruising it without him someday!!

That's how my husband feels about London...which is why I've been without him...5 times! :D

Thanks for the lovely feedback everyone! I promise my next installment as soon as I get home from work. It's written, but just needs to be proof-read...and the right pics selected.

In the meantime, if anyone has questions, just fire away!

Oohhh Ooohhh ooh! I'll go, I'll go!!!! (she says as she raises her hand and waves it :D)

Sounds good to me! I may have to take you up on that someday!!

The Panama Canal is also on my Cruising Bucket List. Great review and pictures, so far! The Star looks like a really nice ship.

Please, please tell me you'll post more than once a day. I don't think I can make it 15 days! ;)

I'm planning to go through your review and the pics with my family. We're still almost 6 months out, but we also aren't 100% decided that we're going. I'm hoping this will kick it to 100%.

I see from the picture you have one of those new white couches. Did you open it up by chance?

First I've heard about the bucket of beer deal - that is just plain dumb.

Day Two…@ sea

Ah, what a blissful first night of sleep. I could have stayed snugged in that comfy bed all day but for cappuccino on the balcony beckoning. Ah, this is living. I swear the suites are worth the money for the Lavazza machine alone! Once the caffeine shot the cobwebs from my brain it was time to get freshened up and head to Cagney’s for breakfast. A traditional eggs Benedict and some wonderful fresh fruit from the buffet and I’m good to go. DH had the crab cake Benedict, which gets such rave reviews (I’ll be having mine another day).

Trying to get off on the right foot, we head off for a 30-minute power walk around the promenade deck. A seven-day cruise can do substantial damage to my waistline. I’m very nervous to find out what fifteen days will do! The air is incredibly muggy, but I enjoy every moment outdoors as I imagine winter lurking around the corner.

Our meet and greet was scheduled for the civilized hour of 11:30 so we had plenty of time to shower and make ourselves presentable. The turnout of roll call members to the M&G was impressive. I think at least 80 – 90 percent of those who said they’d turn up did. The officers showed up in full force, including the Captain, Hotel Director and the Senior Food and Beverage Manager. The Senior F&B is a unique position. He will take over for the HD when the HD goes on vacation to increase continuity on the ships. The Captain very generously invited everyone who attended the M&G to tour the bridge at a time later in the cruise (this is the first Meet and Greet I’ve attended where this was offered). Everyone eagerly signed the sign-up sheet once they realized what it was for!

Lunch again in Cagney’s, but what was really on our minds was that the Patriots game against the Raiders was being broadcast in the Red Lion Pub. Unfortunately, seating is limited in this space, so we headed back to the cabin to watch the game. People may laugh, but this trip would interfere with four Sundays! That’s almost a quarter of the season!! The Patriots were victorious, naturally, and we found seats at the pub between games to enjoy a pint of Boddingtons.

For the first time since the Gem in 2008, we had dinner in the main dining room! We usually don’t bother because we prefer the atmosphere of the specialty restaurants, and when we want something more casual, the buffet works just fine. In fact DH loves the Indian food served at the buffet. Anyway Aqua was quite good and the new menu very successful.

The left side offered special appetizers, entrees, and desserts, which changed daily, while the right side, offered classics. Steak, chicken breast, and pasta for example, all of which were very good. I wish they’d employ the method of a couple of daily specials at Cagney’s during lunch. It would be wonderful to have choices different from the static menu. We’d walked by an empty LeBistro on the way to Aqua and found out why. I swear everyone on the ship was in Aqua! It was packed even though it was 8:00 at night. Thank goodness the concierge, Patrick, had arranged reservation for our party.

DH wasn’t as successful at the casino this night, so we went to the Red Lion to catch the last of Sunday night football, walking by the atrium on the way.

Our first sea day since June 2010 was wonderful…our last cruise had been Hawaii, and although a stunning vacation, we missed our sea days!

I see from the picture you have one of those new white couches. Did you open it up by chance?

 

First I've heard about the bucket of beer deal - that is just plain dumb.

No, we didn't open up the couch.

The bucket of beer thing started the week before our cruise. I assume they're trying to maximize revenue or prevent large quantities of beer sales after hours, but I think this will backfire on them. Time will tell.

Great photos and review so far......

The Panama Canal is on my Bucket List also...;)

Ughh [banging head on desk]

More, more please! :D

Seriously though - thanks for taking the time to write and post pictures. This is going to be an enjoyable, educational read.

DebraJean,

You just post here and let me know when you want me to show up!! :D

Day Three…Cabo San Lucas

Our arrival in Cabo was delayed an hour due to our late departure from Los Angeles. The Captain bumped our departure time out an hour though, so all was good! Breakfast at Cagney’s again before meeting Patrick in La Cucina to be escorted to the first tenders off of the ship. As we pulled up to the pier we noticed one tender had arrived ahead of us with a medical emergency (this would be a recurring theme throughout the cruise).

Our plan here was to get a glass-bottomed boat tour and then walk around…maybe hit some pubs and grab some lunch. As I’d been told (thank you Monte) the vendors selling tours were plentiful. We quickly arranged a private tour for the 5 of us for $10 pp. Good deal (we probably could have gotten it for $8, but we were happy). The tour was great. Took us past the anchored ship, past Lover’s Beach, the Arch, etc. We paused near Lover’s Beach so they could lure fish up to the boat so we could see them. The rock formations here were unlike any that I’ve seen. Sand-colored and massive, they gave a unique look to the area.

The only issue we encountered was when the guide dropped us “downtown”. Maybe this was downtown, but it didn’t have as many shops and building as where we wanted to be. It was about a 15-minute walk to get headed back in the right direction.

At this point we decided some air-conditioning would be in order, so we stopped in a brewpub called the Brew House. Good micro brewery…and cool!!!!

After this we had a mission to go to the Hardrock for a t-shirt purchase, then off to Cabo Wabo for an over-priced drink. When we got to Cabo, we decided lunch was in order, but they only served food in the non-air conditioned part of the building. Huh? We were done with sweating so I lead us a couple of blocks further to a restaurant I’d read about, Pancho’s. There we had a little Patron, a little cerveza and some killer fish and shrimp tacos. YUM!

Purchased my mandatory fridge magnet on the way back to the ship. Thought about stopping into Senor Frogs, but again no AC, so back to the ship we went. Thankfully the wait for the tender wasn’t a long one and we were on the ship in no time.

Dinner tonight was La Cucina. I’ve had some sketchy service here in the past, but our waiter was very good. The main disappointment was the disappearance of the antipasto trolley, which really made La Cucina a great experience. Instead they gave us a plate of antipasto that didn’t have enough on it for even two people to each have a sample, let alone five of us. I did find the Carpaccio to be delicious and the risotto probably the best I’ve had on a ship.

HURRY!!!!!!:D

We just got off Jewel 9/17 and there was none of this poo poo about the buckets of beers. They trying to take after Carnival???

Dumb, dumb............. I can tell you we did not see a lot of people with buckets this trip. Why cut off one of your biggest source of revenues???? I missed the 2 for 1 martinis, they got rid of them.

I believe Star will be with us late next year, so keep posting ship photos, PLEASE!!!!

Kathy

What is that exactly?

The reason I ask is earlier this year, on Princess in one of their specialty restaurants, they had an item that looked very very similar. It was some sort of cold lamb loin, sliced just like that, with pine nuts and chutney or something like that. It even had some dandelion weeds thrown on top.

It tasted like the Ass of Satan, so I want to avoid it at all costs.

(Seriously, that image is bringing up painful memories.)

I am not the OP but this excellent photo is of carpaccio, typical Italian app, extremely thin sliced raw beef loin, generally served with drizzles of olive oil and typically a thatching of arugula, a few twists of cracked black pepper and freshly shaved Parm :p