Traveling on the Star in May-Ports changing from docking to tendering

[JCMass.]

We will be traveling on the Star to the UK, and Faroe Islands, Shetland and Iceland.  We choose this because all but one port is docking.  It makes a big difference in the amount of time you are on shore, as well as the convenience.   There are stories in the past of changes at the last minute and most ports become a tender especially in Iceland, and Shetland, which is also on their list of often skipped ports due to weather. 

 

Has anyone had experience this year ?   How about last May, were their changes at the last minute.  I just wonder if everything has to go perfectly for this cruise to work as planned, or does it usually work well with occasional changes. 

 

Thanks for your help. 

[kitkat343]

Here are the current reviews: https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=712448  If you scroll backwards by time (keep clicking the next review button), you will eventually get to last May's reviews.

 

This forum discusses the current Star situation:  

 .  

 

There is debate on that forum because some people are claiming the sail by in Antartica was cut from 2 days to four hours because of local environmental regulations, and others are stating that the problem might have be caused by the propulsion issues the star has suffered for in the past.  I obviously have no idea, but hopefully if you keep an eye on the forums you will get a sense of what is happening.  

 

If you are thinking of switching, do be careful with the Prima  in Iceland - the government is deepening the harbor in  Isafjodur, and that construction was delayed and not finished before last season.  The Prima's lifeboats apparently cannot be used for tender and all stops were cancelled last year.  Some were changed to overnights in other ports, but other sailings just had extra sea days.  The Star can tender with its lifeboats and didn't have those issues last season.  Hopefully, the construction will be finished before this season.

 

Edited February 27 by kitkat343

[dexddd]

When we sailed Prima Shetland was cancelled..due to weather...