Star Tips & Secrets

[Eytbol8]

Does anyone know what the dry dock upgrades will be?

[Linda the Book Lover]

Does anyone know what the dry dock upgrades will be?

 

This is the only items from CC and NCL I read gives a general idea of what will be happening.I am guessing that along with the changes there will be some sprucing of the carpets and furniture.

 

http://www.ncl.com/next

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5858

[dongordon]

Don, do you know the expression "you catch more flies with honey"?

 

I've also spent 2 weeks on the Star, and as of January will have been on every ship in the fleet, except for PoA.

 

But I'm not intending to share any tips or tricks in this thread, because I found that throughout it you have been (in my opinion) pushy, demanding, demeaning to people (like 4774 Papa) who have tried to help, judgemental about whether the help you received was the help you wanted.

 

The OP asked for tips & tricks.... having one person's opinion that on THEIR cruise, at one time, the lasagna wasn't as good as the lamb, is not a Tip or Trick about the ship.

 

 

 

Now, and only because there is an OP who asked for this:

 

- The Star has dead-end hallways on deck 8. On other ships you can walk down deck 8 to where they used to have the TexMex (now Moderno). On Star you cannot.

 

- The Star Casino does not have a no-smoking section.

 

- If you are in a suite, the reserved seating section is on Deck 7 port-side, along the side balcony.

 

- The Star Bar on deck 13 mid also doubles as the Concierge Lounge in the mornings, if you need to locate your concierge

 

- Blue Lagoon is open for breakfast too! It's quieter and less crazy than the buffet.

 

- The Art Gallery is basically the deck 6 hallway, unless you're exiting Le Bistro, when you can see the Gallery's official entry-way.

 

- Carlos' Bake Shop goodies are available for purchase at the cafe in the main atrium.

 

- There are only 2 Teppanyaki tables, and they're tucked-away in a windowless room.

 

- If you have food allergies at Teppanyaki, they can cook your food in the galley on a sanitized teppan. Of course if you're at the first seating, then the teppan you're seated around should be sanitized already.

 

- You can order from the Asian restaurant menu while seated at the sushi bar.

 

- You can order sushi while seated in the Asian restaurant.

 

- Crepes are in the buffet in the evening only.

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

 

Hi Stephen...

 

You were on the roll call last January with me on the Breakaway with the NUTZ gang.......great cruise and people on our roll call last year!! :)

 

Sorry you felt I was "pushy, demanding and demeaning"....I certainly didn't mean to come off that way.

 

This is what I said to "Papa".....

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4774Papa

I did responded to the post. However, I also provided a detailed review.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberre...EntryID=264272

 

Sorry Papa...

But look at your post...it is actually a review of the STAR (which is not a bad thing! )

It has the good and the bad of the STAR. But the post that I provided on the "Dawn" as an example is what we are specifically looking for....specific fantastic items that we can focus on during our first cruise on the STAR.

If possible, could you provide that for us in a similar venue?

 

Thanks so much.

Don

________________

 

I do not feel that I was rude to Papa (but that is my opinion).

I was just trying to get information (Tips and Secrets) for Eytbol and others (including myself) planning to cruise on the STAR in the future in the same venue as the thread on the Dawn's "Tips and Secrets."

 

That being said, I really do appreciate the information you provided. :)

 

If I offended anyone on this thread, I apologize.....that was certainly not my intent.

 

Don

[sjbdtz]

Hi Stephen...

 

You were on the roll call last January with me on the Breakaway with the NUTZ gang.......great cruise and people on our roll call last year!! :)

 

Sorry you felt I was "pushy, demanding and demeaning"....I certainly didn't mean to come off that way.

 

This is what I said to "Papa".....

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4774Papa

I did responded to the post. However, I also provided a detailed review.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberre...EntryID=264272

 

Sorry Papa...

But look at your post...it is actually a review of the STAR (which is not a bad thing! )

It has the good and the bad of the STAR. But the post that I provided on the "Dawn" as an example is what we are specifically looking for....specific fantastic items that we can focus on during our first cruise on the STAR.

If possible, could you provide that for us in a similar venue?

 

Thanks so much.

Don

________________

 

I do not feel that I was rude to Papa (but that is my opinion).

I was just trying to get information (Tips and Secrets) for Eytbol and others (including myself) planning to cruise on the STAR in the future in the same venue as the thread on the Dawn's "Tips and Secrets."

 

That being said, I really do appreciate the information you provided. :)

 

If I offended anyone on this thread, I apologize.....that was certainly not my intent.

 

Don

 

 

Hi Don,

 

No hard feelings. It's just sometimes helpful to understand that your priorities aren't the same as anybody else's.

 

 

That's why I shared what I knew, anyway.

 

 

If we sail together again, I'm sure we'll raise a toast together.

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

[Linda the Book Lover]

Don --- Thanks for all of your help especially asking those on your roll call for tips. I thought that was a super idea. :)

[dongordon]

Hi Don,

 

No hard feelings. It's just sometimes helpful to understand that your priorities aren't the same as anybody else's.

 

 

That's why I shared what I knew, anyway.

 

 

If we sail together again, I'm sure we'll raise a toast together.

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

 

Stephen...

 

I'll drink to that!! :D :D

 

Don

[dongordon]

Don --- Thanks for all of your help especially asking those on your roll call for tips. I thought that was a super idea. :)

 

Thank you Linda....

 

I will be reporting back to these boards following my upcoming Panama Canal Cruise.

 

I hope our paths cross some day on a future cruise!

 

Happy Cruising!! :)

 

Don

[sailandcruise]

is where the Captain chose to dine for his Christmas (or perhaps it was Christmas Eve, I can't remember) dinner in 2012. We were there the same night. I took that as an indication of his favorite restaurant aboard. :D

[dongordon]

That is a good sign, but I believe the officers change their specialty restaurants like we do.

Interesting that he chose Moderno on Christmas (Eve). I will look forward to dining there.

 

I love Moderno and all the specialty restaurants. On Christmas, though, I think I would have chosen a "more special ambiance - type" restaurant for Christmas dinner like Le Bistro or Cagney's. That being said, the variety of meat dishes is fantastic there (and the salad bar) and we were very pleasantly suprised when we first tried it on the GEM. :)

 

Thank you.

Don

[NCruiser2012]

What is interesting is the NCL website no longer lists Moderno in its list of specialty restaurants. Nor does the website mention Blue Lagoon or O'Sheehan's. Are they under construction right now?

Edited November 16, 2014 by NCruiser2012

[Eytbol8]

Any others with tips, etc. to share?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Wanna_Cruize]

What is interesting is the NCL website no longer lists Moderno in its list of specialty restaurants. Nor does the website mention Blue Lagoon or O'Sheehan's. Are they under construction right now?

 

I noticed that on the deck plans for Star on the NCL website. The map shows Blue Lagoon, however it is NOT listed as a public space on that deck (8). In fact, it lists NO public spaces on that deck. I'm guessing maybe they have already started to demo those 2 areas prior to drydock? Hopefully someone recently off Star will comment on what they found.

[Linda the Book Lover]

I noticed that on the deck plans for Star on the NCL website. The map shows Blue Lagoon, however it is NOT listed as a public space on that deck (8). In fact, it lists NO public spaces on that deck. I'm guessing maybe they have already started to demo those 2 areas prior to drydock? Hopefully someone recently off Star will comment on what they found.

 

Whoa that is interesting.

[puli]

I noticed that on the deck plans for Star on the NCL website. The map shows Blue Lagoon, however it is NOT listed as a public space on that deck (8). In fact, it lists NO public spaces on that deck. I'm guessing maybe they have already started to demo those 2 areas prior to drydock? Hopefully someone recently off Star will comment on what they found.

 

When is that dry dock scheduled? We will be on her in one month from tomorrow,Christmas week.

I doubt they would be doing demo over the holidays...those cruises are usually sold out and often filled with kids....not such a good idea to have demolition going on !

[Wanna_Cruize]

I believe the drydock is at the beginning of March. Here's the link to the layout for Deck 8. You can see both Moderno and Blue Lagoon, but there are NO public spaces listed:

http://www.ncl.com/cruise-ship/star/decks/2/8#tab_detail

 

Also, when you click on the link for What's On Board, and go to Specialty Restaurants, neither one is listed there either. That's what makes me think they must be closed off already.

 

We will be on Star the week after you, for New Years. We've never done a cruise over New Years before, and we're very excited!!

Edited November 21, 2014 by Wanna_Cruize
Adding links to deck plans

[puli]

I believe the drydock is at the beginning of March. We will be on Star the week after you, for New Years. We've never done a cruise over New Years before, and we're very excited!!

 

Thanks for the information! Will try to keep the ship afloat so you can enjoy her the next week!

[Cruisersjb]

Moderno and Blue Lagoon were both still there last week.

[mein18]

I believe the drydock is at the beginning of March. Here's the link to the layout for Deck 8. You can see both Moderno and Blue Lagoon, but there are NO public spaces listed:

http://www.ncl.com/cruise-ship/star/decks/2/8#tab_detail

 

Also, when you click on the link for What's On Board, and go to Specialty Restaurants, neither one is listed there either. That's what makes me think they must be closed off already.

 

We will be on Star the week after you, for New Years. We've never done a cruise over New Years before, and we're very excited!!

 

we were able to make reservations for Moderno for our cruise in January.

[4774Papa]

I noticed that on the deck plans for Star on the NCL website. The map shows Blue Lagoon, however it is NOT listed as a public space on that deck (8). In fact, it lists NO public spaces on that deck. I'm guessing maybe they have already started to demo those 2 areas prior to drydock? Hopefully someone recently off Star will comment on what they found.

We were on the Star this Sept/Oct. We had a cabin on deck 8. Most of deck 8 is composed of cabins.

However, deck 8 opens up mid-ship and you can look down at the service desk on 7. The Blue Lagoon is located on the port side of the atrium and Moderno on the starboard side. The open area is an atrium and you can view it from the glass facing elevators mid-ship going up to deck 12 (buffet and pool area).

Didn't see any demolition.

The fish and chips are fairly good at Blue Lagoon and Moderno is great.

[Linda the Book Lover]

Our cruise is the first one after the two week dry dock. I am hoping some of you lucky cruisers in the next few weeks will be able to bring back some intel as to what is the proposed plan during dry dock.

[Wanna_Cruize]

Moderno and Blue Lagoon were both still there last week.

 

Thanks for that info!

[Wanna_Cruize]

we were able to make reservations for Moderno for our cruise in January.

 

Well, that's good news. I might look to make reservation online before we go. Do they offer any discounts for booking the first night? We elected to buy the UBP, not the UDP, so will probably just mostly eat in one of the two MDRs.

[dongordon]

We were on the Star this Sept/Oct. We had a cabin on deck 8. Most of deck 8 is composed of cabins.

However, deck 8 opens up mid-ship and you can look down at the service desk on 7. The Blue Lagoon is located on the port side of the atrium and Moderno on the starboard side. The open area is an atrium and you can view it from the glass facing elevators mid-ship going up to deck 12 (buffet and pool area).

Didn't see any demolition.

The fish and chips are fairly good at Blue Lagoon and Moderno is great.

 

Papa...

 

Do you know how far away the Aft Cabins are from Moderno and the Blue Lagoon (e.g 20-50 yards)?

Also, does the Blue Lagoon have a bar where you can purchase wine and/or liquor?

 

Thanks so much .

Don

Edited November 26, 2014 by dongordon

[love2relax]

Moderno and Blue Lagoon were both still there last week.

 

Thank goodness! I was already getting depressed about no Moderno's for my NYE cruise. It is one of my favorite places to eat.

[mearsfansinboise]

While researching for another cruise last year someone asked for the top tips and secrets for a certain ship and found they were very helpful. Can people provide top tips or secrets for the Star? Favorites things about the ship and suites, dislikes as well perhaps? I found this VERY helpful when researching for another cruise last year. We will be on the Star in March out of Los Angeles. Thanks so much in advance.

 

We were on the Star last Christmas. And I think we'll be on the same sailing as you, perhaps. I don't know if it's tips or secrets, just personal experiences... We obviously enjoyed the Star so much so that we booked again.

 

I don't recall embarkation being as long or as difficult as I have read about it here as of late. I think we got there around 1, and the line was long, but I didn't feel that it was terrible. It was a bit warm - even for December - but that was really my only recollection.

 

I was not thrilled with the selections in the MDR - I don't think I'm a picky eater, but maybe? - just seems that there was always something weird about everything I wanted to order. I can't think of a specific example, but say you like rice pilaf, and their rice pilaf had corn and peppers in it. So not really rice pilaf to me, if you know what I mean.

The service wasn't fantastic in the MDR either. Seemed like the waitstaff had too many tables, and attentiveness was lacking.

We tried the MDR several times for dinner and kept waiting for lobster night and they kept saying tomorrow...tomorrow ended up being the last night or first to last night. We ended up eating in the buffet quite often, and we were OK with that for the most part. There was one night that I could not find something to eat - the MDR menu was blah, and the buffet was Indian night or some cuisine that I am not fond of. And I really am all about the food - but again, it couldn't have been that bad or we wouldn't be returning LOL

The family still talks about the crepes in the buffet, and also the chocolate fountain.

I remember enjoying the BLT from room service and ordering that often as a late night snack.

 

I didn't really notice - but don't really look for - signs of age or wear on the ship. I'm sure I could find something if I think about it, but I don't.

 

I've read issues of space and comfort in the Stardust, and I have to say - we are large people the husband and I, and we sat on the top level on the side, and had no issues. There was enough leg room, and there were no dividers between seats. The Spinnaker was a place to take the kids to watch an afternoon movie. Comfortable too and not crowded at all. Popcorn too while enjoying the movie.

 

I remember finding things to complain about on our first cruise. And have learned that if you are looking for something to complain about, you will find it. But you will never go hungry, there is never anything inedible, and you will never be bored. If you do get bored, go take a nap. I do love napping on cruises and being rocked to sleep by the movement of the ocean.

 

I don't do a lot of searches here on the forum, I just post or wait for a topic of interest to come up, but find that the Star seems to be one of the least discussed ships here. Wondering if it's because it's not as glam as the rest of the fleet? Either way, it works for us.

Edited December 28, 2014 by mearsfansinboise