Has anyone been on a cruise on the Norwegian Star?

Question

I bought 2 tickets for the Norwegian Star. I wanted to know if you have to pay for your food on this cruise. I go on their website and it does not really tell me. Also, does anyone know how much luggage I can take?

Answer 1

Not all food on NCL ships is free.

I have been on many Norwegian ships including the Star.  NCL has freestyle cruising which mean that you do not have to specify a DINNER DINING option for your cruise.  The cruise is otherwise the same as with any other cruise line.  

Freestyle Cruising  means that you do not have to specify a dining option when you book your cruise and thus don't have a table and waiter assigned to you. "FREESTYLE" means you can go to dinner in the main dining room, or any other alternative restaurant, any time of the evening after 6:00 PM..  But you will have to reserve a time in the alternate restaurants.  It also means that you don't have to "dress up" for dinner, but just go "sports casual".  But it also means that you may be standing in line awaiting a table on some days (like we had to do a couple times); not what you want on a cruise.  Since you go when you want, you rarely get the same waiter and so never really get to know your waiter and he/she never learns what you prefer as is done on “traditional” cruise lines.

The optional dining restaurants options can cost $10 to $20 a person for dinner each night.  The food in the regular dining room and the buffets is all free.  The optional restaurants are very nice, including French, Chinese/Sushi, Tex-Mex, Italian, and steak house restaurants.  We always skipped the optional restaurants and just got to the main dining early. That worked fine, except on "at sea" days when everyone wanted to go eat early.  We later found that we could reserve a time in the main dining room, but we still got a different table and waiter for dinner each night.  You can also order room service and that is also free but you should tip the person who brings the food at least a couple dollars.

Your luggage limit will probably be determined by your airline if you are flying.  Regardless, use soft sided duffel type bags because your luggage will be stored under the bed.  There is very little room for it in other places.  Under the beds can generally handle four pieces.

Answer 2

The star is a pretty nice ship, I think you will like it.

NCL offers what they call freestyle dining/cruising. Basically, this gives you a little more flexibility with what you want to do and when. You can choose when you eat, where you eat and who you eat with, rather than having a set time each night at the same table with the same people. It allows you to do what you want and have more choices.

The Star has 10 different restuarants to choose from. Some of them are included in the cost of the cruise, but some of the nicer choices have a surcharge, where each person pays a little more, basically for the gratuity. They range in price from $10 to $20. Ginza is a $12.50 surcharge, and the all you can eat sushi is $10 (you can just order the sushi if you aren't wanting a lot to eat, usually runs a little less). SoHo Room is $15, and LeBistro is $15 or $20 depending on what you choose, this is my personal favorite. The remaining restaurants, such as Blue Lagoon, Aqua, Cagney's Steakhouse, etc. are all included in the cost. Just remember that it is a good idea to tip for good service. Also, room service is no charge (unless your order anything that has a charge, such as alcohol, but this applies to any of the dining choices)

As far as luggage, you could pretty much take as you like. The cruise line does not limit you on the amount of luggage you can bring. But, as the other answer said, you should check with your airline for what you can bring, if you are flying. Generally it is 2 pieces per person and then two carry-ons, so that is where your limitations will be. Also, as the other answer said, you should try to pack as lite as possible. Cruise staterooms tend to be on the smaller side, depending on the room you have. The last thing you want to do is fill them up with luggage and your belongings. Most people slide the luggage under the bed, personally I don't like it since you never really know what is under there, nor do I want to crawl around on the floor to see what might be looking back (my sister was a bit of a germ a phobe, I think I took on some of her phobia!) But that can help to give you more room. Since you are only traveling with two, the room won't be as filled, but it still can get pretty crazy, especially once you start making purchases!

I think NCLs website is a little lacking as far as information is concerned. I've included a link to Cruise Critic. This is a fantastic site for looking up information on your cruise before you go and it has a lot more info than even NCL offers.

Have a great time!

Answer 3

Was on the Star two years ago, but can tell you that no, you don't pay for the food. Food is included with the price of the cruise (all cruises for that matter).

As far as luggage, realistically the luggage limit is more a concern of how much luggage you can take with you on the flight TO the cruise. One thing I would tell you as a long time cruiser to a first time cruiser is don't over pack. It's not neccessary and keep in mind, you're on vacation so pack for a relaxed vacation. Shorts, t-shirts and sandels are the normal wear on a cruise ship 90% of the time. The other times you'll blend right in wearing light slacks with a polo shirt. Only time you'd get semi-dressed up would be for a few activities and a few of the nicer restuarants. The advantage of being on Norwegian is you can go to the numerous dining rooms when you want to eat. Norwegian has Free Style dining and don't do the formal stuff except once on a normal cruise. And even the "formal" means slacks and a polo shirt (as with some of the restuarants, meaning no shorts and t-shirts allowed, but not a suit and tie by any means).

Relax, be prepared to eat and eat and eat all you want without a food bill and just pack for a comfortable time for a great vacation.

Answer 4

No!!!

You have all your meals, included room service; but be prepared to pay expensives tips