Some Personal Opinions of the Star

[CanadianTwosome]

Well, I've been wracking my brain trying to come up with something negative so that I'll sound more 'credible' to those who don't believe a cruise can be all good, but I'm having a hard time finding anything. I suppose I could complain that I had a small cabin... but that's what I booked, so I can't really blame anyone else for that. :) So, until my big loooooooong review is posted, here's a recap of what we loved... and the few things we didn't.

 

Food: We loved every single morsel we put in our mouths. Wait - the caviar was a little fishy, so the canape I had at the Latitudes cocktail party was just a reminder of why I don't generally eat it. My daughter boldly tried the one I brought to her and agreed. But at least now we can say we've eaten it. :) I also found that, as I had actually guessed, chilled soups are not my thing. I've avoided ordering them because they really just don't appeal to me, but when I saw a chilled Granny Smith apple bisque, I thought I'd give it a go. I was right about me, but my daughter and husband loved it... he finished mine. My daughter found a couple of things that she wasn't crazy about, but a lot more that she did, and I think for a nine year old, liking almost everything she tried (and she eagerly tried a LOT) was pretty impressive. We took lots of pictures of our meals (they were presented beautifully), so when I figure out where to share them, everyone can see them... maybe just in time for the menus to change with 2.0! All in all, though, I would have to say that across the board, aside from those couple of items I mentioned, we loved all the food. We did only eat at the buffet twice, and both times the food was pretty good, but we tend not to eat at buffets, so most of our time spent there was just passing through.

 

Service: ALL of the service we had was excellent. When I went to reception to discuss an online excursion reservation that I hadn't received any information on, the gentleman I spoke with was clearly expecting me to be angry with him and went out of his way to be as helpful as possible. The way he spoke to me and the language he used really made me feel like he was used to people yelling and being accusatory, and I thought that was really too bad. Because the excursion people were all on shore in Acapulco at the time and expecting to be off early again in Zihuatanejo, he promised to find the passenger list for the excursion and call me to tell me if we were actually on it (no charges were on our account, indicating that we were not), and if not, whether there was space for us to get on it. As it turned out, our daughter had an ear problem so I called him back and told him to cancel it so we could see the doctor in the morning. That was the only issue that we had and it was resolved to the best of their ability to the extent that I wanted - until I didn't want it anymore. Otherwise, all of our servers were wonderful, the cruise director's staff were terrific, and the Kid's Crew supervisors were beyond compare.

 

Kid's Crew: I can't say enough good things. My daughter cried the morning we left because she knows she likely won't see them or the other kids again. I think that says it all right there.

 

Entertainment: We're not really show goers, but what we saw was terrific. I wasn't that keen on the Second City adult improv the night I saw them, but that's pretty much the only entertainment I didn't thoroughly enjoy, and everyone I spoke to that saw them a night earlier loved their scripted show. Sometimes improv works and sometimes it doesn't. All the people I was watching with seemed to love it, so again it's personal taste as well.

 

Activities: I love karaoke, so I was happy with that, although it was sometimes scheduled at times that were inconvenient to me personally. I guess everyone would have a better time if the schedule was made around them, though, so I enjoyed as much as I could. The pub crawls were fantastic, and a great way to meet people. I spent time every evening for the rest of the cruise with people we met on the two pub crawls and we all brought new people into the mix as the cruise went on. Adult Quest was hilarious. We really didn't do much else, other than some family activities through Kid's Crew (which were also fun). I thought many of the activities looked fun, but other things came up that we all enjoyed as well.

 

Bingo, Krackits, and the Casino: There were announcements for bingo daily, but we ignored them. We did not find the announcements disruptive in the least. We were only offered krackits once, and we bought some and won a few bucks. I found the Casino about half way through the cruise and played both my and my husband's triple plays (pay $10 get $15 in chips) and I came away with about $145 more than I started with. To most gamblers I'm sure that sounds like a pittance, but to me it was a great birthday present and I spent it frivolously in Cabo San Lucas and loved every second of it.

 

The one thing that we did notice as a family that was a bit negative was that with the scheduled hours of the Kid's Crew, we sometimes had to be creative about getting to what we wanted to attend while getting our daughter to or from Kid's Crew... or some non-family activities were scheduled when there was no Kid's Crew available, so that was difficult as well. Fortunately we were able to work it out every time. It was like the karaoke - every schedule can't work for everyone.

 

What else can I tell you? Please ask any questions you like!

[CanadianTwosome]

I forgot to mention reservations! We only made two. When we boarded, we went to reservations and decided to eat at Cagney's that evening, and were the first ones to ask, so we had our pick of times and there was no wait at the desk. The other reservation was at Teppanyaki for my birthday, but when the hotel director attended our CC Meet and Greet, I asked her if she could pull some strings for me to ensure I had the reservation for my birthday and she called me back an hour later to confirm that we were reserved. Our roll call friends who joined us, though, had no problem getting in to our sitting. After all the hoopla here on the boards, she got up really early to go make reservations in person, but had a little trouble finding the desk since there was nobody else there. When she asked directions and found it, the girl attending it said 'Oh, finally I have a visitor.' She also found it simple to get two spots in our seating. We walked into Ginza twice for lunch on sea days (and I highly recommend it - don't pass up the banana spring rolls!!)

 

I think people had a little more trouble with reservations as the cruise went on, but a couple we met were able to go to Teppanyaki on the last night when someone cancelled, so I think everyone we knew got all the reservations they wanted. We never saw the lines we've heard about, nor did anyone we knew complain about finding them. One couple from our roll call made all their reservations via phone and had no troubles at all.

[CanadianTwosome]

What can I say? I'm tired. :p

 

I tried to pay attention to wait times, but in the entire week, we never waited long enough for it to be noticable anywhere. Granted we generally eat early, the two times we arrived before the restaurant opened (once at Aqua and once at Versailles), the wait was pretty much the same as that I've encountered on traditional lines when people arrive for their assigned dinner seatings. Even with each group having to be seated rather than just self directing to their assigned table, it still ran smoothly and quickly every time. The last evening, we ate at Aqua after the passenger talent show, and after walking right in and being seated immediately, I checked my watch and it was 8:15, so I guess we missed the rush, although we did see other contestants and people who had been in attendance, so many came from the show, but it didn't seem to cause any problems. :)

[cruzerfornow]

Did any of those "other" kind of cruisers cause any problems on your cruise? :eek:

[CanadianTwosome]

Ha ha ha I wouldn't say that they caused me problems, but I did have to shake my head at a couple. Within my first half hour on the ship, after having made my easy reservations, we opted for the buffet and got in line. Just as we got to the corner where people were waiting for the beef to be carved, someone came to collect two of the three bread baskets to replenish them, leaving a third with some torpedo style buns that didn't appeal to me - or the woman in front of me, I guess. I said, 'Are you waiting for rolls?' and she replied, rather huffily, 'Yes.' So, I said, 'Well, at least it doesn't appear we're holding anyone up since everyone is waiting for meat as well,' but she continued, 'You'd think that with three baskets SOMEONE would have noticed that they were empty.' (I didn't mention that there was still one left that wasn't...) I just smiled and said, 'Well, it's awfully busy; it happens.' She then kind of snorted, and said, 'No, I've cruised this line before and I see NOTHING has changed,' and I decided then that I should just go past her and come back for my rolls... I didn't want any of that seething negativity to rub off on me. I couldn't help but wonder, if that was her attitude at the very beginning of the cruise... how could she possibly enjoy anything?

 

There was also a gentleman who told our cruise director staffmember that he was going to lodge a formal complaint because he brought us (pub crawlers) to Gatsby's. If we'd actually been being particularly loud or disruptive, I wouldn't have blamed him, but we weren't. We were chatting amongst ourselves in small groups and occasionally someone would laugh. :eek: I could hear the piano player/singer (who was very good) the entire time, so I'm not sure why he couldn't since he was sitting closer than we were, but I guess he figured that anyone in that particular bar should have just been sitting silently appreciating the music.

 

That's about it for complainers, although I also talked to a gentleman who told me that he had not liked any of the food he'd had. I told him that we'd loved everything and that's when he admitted that he didn't eat seafood at all, and that while he liked beef, he didn't like to eat it more than once a week, and thought that there wasn't enough chicken available on the ship. I laughed at him and said that maybe that was part of the problem and he laughed with me and said that he knew it was most of the problem. So, at least in his case, he was a good sport about knowing that it was his pickiness and not NCL's offerings that were making his meals less enjoyable than mine.

[Ms belp]

Gosh, I couldn't follow. I believe you had a good time.?? Keep it concise and pithy as Bill O' would say.

[CanadianTwosome]

Gosh, I couldn't follow. I believe you had a good time.?? Keep it concise and pithy as Bill O' would say.

 

If only I could. :rolleyes:

[JenDalessan]

Gosh, I couldn't follow. I believe you had a good time.?? Keep it concise and pithy as Bill O' would say.

 

 

anyone who quotes Bill O should not be taken seriously.

 

Ms. Belch, I will help you here. I know there were far too many words for you to comprehend. Here you go, another version of this review:

 

"I was on the Star. I liked it"

 

Did you follow that one? Glad to help.

[Jana]

anyone who quotes Bill O should not be taken seriously.

 

Ms. Belch, I will help you here. I know there were far too many words for you to comprehend. Here you go, another version of this review:

 

"I was on the Star. I liked it"

 

Did you follow that one? Glad to help.

 

D*MMIT JEN! Don't do that when I have a cup of coffee ... now I have to go get yet another new keyboard!

[sacway]

thx c2some for the "sights and sounds" of your cruise.

[Cosmopolitan]

If only I could. :rolleyes:

 

Thanks for your review. Very informative and enjoyable.

 

Chilled soups...I really enjoy gazpacho but the cold fruit soups - I always feel like I should be having them for dessert.

 

Post #5 - how do they manage to cruise on EVERY ship:eek: LOL

 

We haven't been on the Star yet but it sounds great.

 

Glad you enjoyed your cruise:)

[MrPete]

....

[CanadianTwosome]

This is the short version?

 

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

....

 

Resistance is futile! :p

 

Thanks for the glasses... didn't need them on this trip, though, everything was just great without them!

[Cruise_More_Often]

CanadianTwosome, I can hardly wait to read your loooong review and see your photos. This taste was was great! I've been following your posts up to your cruise and knew you'd have a great time on the Star.

 

Jen, I had to run for a paper towel for my computer, too. Thanks for the laugh. BTW, who is Bill O' (people, before you tell me, I'm being facetious)!

[Cruise_More_Often]

Sorry, CC server hiccup.

[chrisbd1]

anyone who quotes Bill O should not be taken seriously.

 

Ms. Belch, I will help you here. I know there were far too many words for you to comprehend. Here you go, another version of this review:

 

"I was on the Star. I liked it"

 

Did you follow that one? Glad to help.

 

It's Msbelp, not Ms Belch. Please, she's not an idiot. I believe she was trying to be cute. There's no reason to get snippy. I don't agree with Bill O, even a small percent of the time but I don't insult others who do.

[loverboy]

It's Msbelp, not Ms Belch. Please, she's not an idiot. I believe she was trying to be cute. There's no reason to get snippy. I don't agree with Bill O, even a small percent of the time but I don't insult others who do.

 

she isn't ?

[chrisbd1]

she isn't ?

Isn't what? An idiot or trying to be funny? Granted, I've threatened to take her computer away from her a time or two. :)

 

This internet message board thing is still new to her and she's still learning that speaking to the people on the screen is different that talking to them in person. I'm trying to teach her better manners, really I am.

[Jana]

It's Msbelp, not Ms Belch. Please, she's not an idiot. I believe she was trying to be cute. There's no reason to get snippy. I don't agree with Bill O, even a small percent of the time but I don't insult others who do.

 

I apologize for laughing, but I thought it was funny. Not the Mrs. Belch part, I didn't actually see that.

 

Now I feel bad.

 

Please relay my sincere apologies to my wee hours buddy.

 

Jana

[carontori]

Hey c2some, as always, enjoy your posts, just don't be too long posting your full review, I've only got 11 days till I leave for my Star cruise!:D

 

P.S. I loooove those chilled soups, and yes they really should be dessert! :p But if I just call them a starter, do the calories still count?????

[CanadianTwosome]

My review is posted, it's just waiting for approval. Now we just have to give the review reviewers time to review it... and when I say it's long... well... it could take a while. :p

 

I did learn that I like my soups hot, but since I'm really not much of a dessert eater, many of the nights on a cruise, I order salad for dessert and enjoy two starters. Chilled soup for dessert would definitely work. :) My daughter thought I was crazy many times as she savoured some crazy rich chocolate confection and I enjoyed my caesar salad. They probably had about the same amount of fat anyway, though, so it's all good!

[Tucsoncruisers]

Thank you so much for you informative review. I hope your family is getting better!

[S&S Cruisers 1983]

Calories count on a cruise?!?!?:eek:

 

Welcome back Canadian Twosome, glad you had a great time! I don't get the chilled fruit thing, they don't sound good to me.

 

Ok, call me stupid, but who is Bill O? :o

[nichal]

thanks for your review Canadian Twosome

We sail on Feb 12 :)

I have read so many negitive comments, you have renewed my faith in the Star

Nicole & gang

[chrisbd1]

Calories count on a cruise?!?!?:eek:

 

Welcome back Canadian Twosome' date=' glad you had a great time! I don't get the chilled fruit thing, they don't sound good to me.

 

Ok, call me stupid, but who is Bill O? :o[/quote']

Bill O'reilley on Fox News Channel.