annmarz

6 hours ago, victory2020 said:

How was LHR? How early did you get there for your flight? Did you do NCL transfer?

LHR in a word, sucked.  Horribly crowded, disorganized. We took the NCL transfer.  You need lots of time to check in, even to find where to check in, clear security (VERY SLOW) and get to gates when they were announced.  Security is very very strict about liquids in bags. DO NOT eat at the Smoke House Taphouse restaurant. It was abysmal.  Bring lots of patience for the airport. I have enjoyed the shopping and dining and LHR in the past but this time I hated the whole thing.

10 hours ago, milolii said:

Ty. How many days?  Was this from Southampton? 

10 days from Reykjavik to Southhampton

11 hours ago, Sermenn1 said:

Thanks a lot for the feedback!
If I may ask, does Star have Starbucks?

The Atrium cafe is a Starbucks.

12 hours ago, Mlake09 said:

Thank you for the update! We are on the Star next week and I’ve been following the weather and see lots of 40’s and 50’s. How was the wind on the sea days? We are bringing down coats and hats/scarves, etc, but just wondering if you (or others) were able to be on the decks comfortably. 
 

Thanks again!

It was very cold and windy in Iceland.  Very windy on decks.  Virtually no one there. The last day, sailing to Southhampton was sunny and people actually went in the pool and hot tubs.

9 hours ago, casofilia said:

@annmarz

 

Who were the officers please?   Thanks

Sorry.  I don't have this info.

Not sure what you mean by Concierge.  There is a Guest Services desk open 24 hours.  Unofrtunately not all of the crew here were knowledgeable.

You can bring a full water bottle onboard.  I just did.

We really enjoyed our cruise. Here are some random thoughts:

Itinerary:  Iceland was the main draw and it did not disappoint!  Spectacular and very cold!  Many pax were unprepared for the weather. Took ship excursions in all 3 ports and were very pleased.  The Norwegian ports of Olden and Alesund were just ok.  Not a whole lot to do.  I guess by that time we had seen enough fjords, waterfalls, and glaciers.  The Orkney Islands in Scotland was a fascinating excursion and one can never get enough of Edinburgh IMHO.  2 days at sea was just right.

Stateroom - Our midship Oceanview with Balcony on Deck 10 was a perfect location.  Quiet. close but not too close to elevators and no motion.  We requested and received a mattress topper.  Enough storage, a smallish loveseat, a surprisingly large shower and separate toilet (both with sliding doors) a new easy to operate safe and a very cold fridge!  Only complaint was no nightstand on one side of the bed and terrible lighting.  They NEED to put reading lights by the bed.

Entertainment:  The production shows were just average but the guest entertainers were stupendous!  Probably the best guitarist - from Chile - I have ever seen, a hilarious juggler, a non-boring illusionist and his contortionist wife. WOW!  There was the usual complement of game shows - pretty fun.  I just could not stand the main cruise staff guy - his assistants were much better.

Bars - Great assortment of bars and the happiest and friendliest bartenders ever!  Fast service but since the ship only had 1300 PAX service and seating was never an issue.

Specialty Dining - Hands down, Cagney's was the best.  We were very disappointed in Le Bistro.  Mediocre food. My filet of sole was full of bones.  The French Onion soup just had a sprinkling of Parmesan on top.  No lamb chops.  The Chocolate dessert with the long name was just a HoHo in disguise.  La Cucina was ok. We just weren't that hungry that night - weren't feeling too well near the end of the cruise.

Buffet - I am not ashamed to admit that I loved the buffet - for all the meals.  Lots of variety.  Unexpected delights like a huge bowl of cashews, gravlax, the best and ripest cantaloupe I have had on a cruise.

Ginza - appetizers excellent, entrees meh. (ate here twice).

I will add more in the upcoming days.  Meanwhile happy to answer any questions!

I know that you can upgrade your "free" internet minutes onboard, and that it is best to wait till the second day of the cruise before logging in - thanks to all the posters on this board.  What I want to know is that are better discounts offered as the cruise progresses?  

Only been on Getaway and Bliss.  Preferred the Bliss - the Observation Lounge was awesome!

Thinking of upgrading to the Family Suite on Star.  Does it have a balcony?  I have received conflicting info on this.  Would the upgrade include free wifi for the duration of the cruise?  What other amenities would we get?  I really appreciate your answers!

I think I saw that it will be to the right as you approach the island from the pier, beyond the Waterpark area.

We will be sailing on Star this summer. Have been on Bliss and Getaway. Anything special, not-to-be missed about Star?

When my aforementioned DH was appalled by his stroganoff, it had red and green peppers in it. No pickles.  

On the Harmony - the MDR and beef was really hit or miss. The ONLY consistency was that it was NEVER cooked to order.  My prime rib, which I ordered medium, was presented with an almost giddy flair:  "Here you go, Madam. Bloody rare!!" I didn't mind, tho, because it was tender and absolutely delicious.  (I order other cuts of beef bloody.)

The so-called Beef Stroganoff was so awful that my introverted, never complaining DH, sent it back saying it was inedible.

The lamb chops were tasty, but fatty, BTW.

2 hours ago, Russ Lomas said:

We have not had a CP balcony before but are looking forward to the ones we have booked in March on the Oasis.  The price was less than an interior cabin, go out at night (when you cannot see the hanging laundry) and listen to any musicians playing below, and best of all...somewhere outside to hang my wet bathing suit to let it dry (to the dismay of my fellow passengers).  Even better, we are travelling with another family who has the balcony directly across from us.  Can we string a clothesline across CP to hang our laundry on? 😆

Cartagena is an interesting port.  The fort there is one of the best anywhere. Definitely Cartagena!

I found a crack pipe on the Bliss - solo cabin -behind the safe! I tossed it into a ramdom garbage can on deck.

I was travelling with a friend in the next solo cabin so we weren't looking for dinner companions. On the Getaway, there was a sign up sheet in the lounge for a group dinner.

I was in solo cabins on the Bliss and Getaway.  Really just used the lounge for beverages - very convenient.  Ample storage space if you utilize the underbed area and packing cubes. Bring magnetic clips and hooks to hang things from the walls. The ottoman on the Getaway had a removable seat so it was actually a storage cube.  The Bliss one did not open.  Set the tv on mute to the "front of the ship" channel and you will have a nightlite and know if it is daylight when you awake.

The ice show and the Aqua Theatre greatly exceeded our expectations.  Both were superb! Highlights of the cruise.

29 minutes ago, matj2000 said:

 

Shopping for what???

Lots of souvenir stuff. Artsy things. I think there was a Lush/Basin type store.  It's actually quite a good area. They also have the fish pedicures.

When you exit the pier walkway, there is a walking trail loop to your left. We enjoyed this - lots of nice views and not strenuous.

The Adult Comedy Show on the Harmony in The Attic was much, much better than the introductory one in the theatre.

I was on the Harmony in Late Feb.  We went on the Green Grotto Excursion and enjoyed it.  The port area was attractive and had shops and a Margaritaville.