Norwegian Star

Norwegian Star feels like one of the classic ships, similar to Norwegian Spirit and Norwegian Sky, even though it’s part of the Dawn class. The ship carries about 2,200 passengers but isn’t focused on big entertainment or crazy activities. After all, it’s from 2001 and perfectly reflects that older era of cruising. It’s a good option if you want to relax, especially on a short, affordable cruise sailing out of Tampa.

What we like about Norwegian Star

One of the best things about this ship is that it offers some really fun and affordable cruises in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Prices go as low as $250 for a 4-day Caribbean cruise, which is a great deal if you want to visit the private island of Great Stirrup Cay. Cruises to Cozumel are usually more expensive, starting around $380, which is still reasonable. This ship is aimed at travelers who want to save money and enjoy a classic cruise experience, meaning guests aren’t looking for waterparks or huge Broadway-style shows.

Norwegian Star is also less crowded and more peaceful than other ships sailing to the Caribbean. Most guests traveling with children tend to choose the bigger ships with waterslides and go-kart tracks, like the Prima-class and Breakaway Plus-class ships. Norwegian Star, meanwhile, even has some cool areas like an internet cafe and a library if you just want to sit down and feel the waves… or you can try the jogging track to keep in shape after eating six slices of pizza in the buffet.

Another great perk is that Norwegian Star underwent a major update in 2018, adding new venues such as the Sky High Bar, Bliss Ultra Lounge, and Spice H2O Bar. The Spice H2O Bar is a fan favorite on Norwegian ships and a fantastic adults-only spot to enjoy the views while grabbing a drink.

Dining options onboard are pretty good for a ship of its size, and I’d say it’s on par with Norwegian Sun, another ship that launched in the same year. You get the Brazilian steakhouse Moderno, the La Cucina Italian restaurant, Cagney's Steakhouse, and the classic French restaurant Le Bistro. There’s also a sushi bar, a Teppanyaki place, and other options, giving you a wide variety of choices for a ship of that size.

What we don’t like about Norwegian Star

The ship shows its age in some places. It doesn’t have as many entertainment options as the newer vessels - after all, Norwegian Star is almost 25 years old. Some design choices are a bit questionable, like the many dark interior spaces that don’t offer views of the ocean. Star also lacks a waterpark and waterslides, which I think are very important for a summer cruise to the Caribbean. C’mon, this is a new class of cruise that separates itself from Norwegian Sun and Sky, and still no waterpark or even a waterslide? That’s a bummer.

Another issue that doesn’t get talked about enough is maintenance on Norwegian Star. Quite a few guests have reported cruises being delayed or even canceled because of mechanical problems with the ship. Some even claim the Star has had more of these issues than all the other Norwegian ships combined. We’ve personally never met anyone who experienced this firsthand, but the topic comes up often in forums and reviews online, so we felt it was only fair to mention it here.

Conclusion

Norwegian Star is for those who don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a cruise but still want to visit the Caribbean and Mexico. It’s also a great option for guests who want to relax, don’t mind the limited entertainment, and are happy enjoying specialty restaurants or hanging out at the Spice H2O Bar. As you can imagine, it’s a good choice for solo travelers, young adults traveling with friends, and couples looking for a quick, fun cruise.