northern star cruises reviews

Norwegian Star Review: The Good Bad and the Ugly

By: Author coupletraveltheworld

Posted on Last updated: August 27, 2023

Categories Cruise Reviews

Considering cruising on the Norwegian Star but don’t know what the ship will be like?

You have come to the right place. We have traveled on Norwegian Cruise Line a lot (here’s a Norwegian Getaway review, a Norwegian Sun review and a Norwegian Sky review ) and are now finally platinum members (yippee – hello free speciality dining meals!) so we know a thing or two about Norwegian ships.

Norwegian Star is one of the smaller of the Norwegian cruise fleet, it is also one of the older ships which means it doesn’t have some of the facilities of the large ships like waterslides but we still really enjoyed our cruise.

We cruised on the Norwegian Star for over 30 nights on a back to back sailing from Southhampton UK to Reykjavík Iceland up the coast of Scotland and Norway. During this time, I noted my thoughts on the ship so keep reading for the good, the bad and the ugly of the Norwegian Star to decide whether you would like to cruise on it for your next vacation.

Entertainment

The entertainment on the ship was of a really high quality overall. The ship has a production team which consist of 3 lead female singers, 3 lead male singers and backup dancers. I believe this team rotates every 8 months or so so the production team may vary depending on when you travel.

If you are on a cruise for around 10 days (this was 1 leg of our 3) they will do 3 shows in total. These shows are on repeat for a few months so if you do back to back cruising, you will likely need to see the same show twice. That being said, we really liked the production shows and were happy to see them a few times. There was a good show when we sailed called “What the World Needs” celebrating music of Burt Bacharach.

We also met the cast around the ship and they were all really nice and friendly. They are allowed to access some of the guest facilities like the gym and buffet so you often see them around. Most of them are up for a chat.

In addition to the production performances, there are 3-4 guest acts that Norwegian hires which perform in the Stardust theatre (the main stage). This is the only theatre on the ship.

During our cruise, we had a guest singer, a magic show, a juggler, a violinist and an acrobatic duo. All shows were good but the acrobatic duo ( MP Art Duo ) were absolutely phenomenal and absolutely world class having previously worked for Cirque du Soleil. 

This is a great cruise for young adults so if you are in your 20s/30s and thinking to book this cruise we would say, go for it as the entertainment was great for this age group.

My Dad was disappointed we didn’t have a comedian onboard on the first two legs of the cruise like there has previously been on other ships. Being a smaller ship, there was less overall entertainment than larger ships like the Norwegian Epic and less choice but it was still overall a very high quality. We were on back-to-back sailings and on the third leg of the cruise a comedian did come on. Although, I would rate the entertainment and comedic value as poor. It was disappointing to say the least.

A benefit to the larger ships is that you don’t need to book shows in advance. You can just show up and get a seat.  I really liked this as it meant you didn’t have to plan your schedule in advance.

In addition to the theatre performances which are generally on 7pm and 9pm (two shows nightly) there was various other entertainment around the ship like piano players, guitarists and violinists to watch as you enjoy a drink.

Rating: 9/10

The food on the Norwegian Star was overall of a very high quality. There are 2 free main dining areas (Versailles and Aqua) as well as a pub area (O’Sheehans), a Chinese restaurant (Ginza) and a buffet (the Garden Buffet) that you can visit without a speciality dining package.

Versailles is the fancier of the two free restaurants onboard the Norwegian Star with an old-world Mary Antoinette vibe. The ceilings at the restaurant are high and the decor of the restaurant is regal and gold. Lovely oil paintings line the walls.

Aqua presents more modern-style dining with more modern furniture and finishings as well as a star ceiling.

Versailles was my preference of the two as I preferred the decor and the service tended to be faster as a whole. Both Versailles and Aqua serve exactly the same menu each night and share a galley so the food for both restaurants is identical.

I think some guests just choose to dine at whichever restaurant is closer to their cabin. There are a lot of larger guests onboard the cruise – it is a foodies paradise after-all – and some of them can’t walk very far.

Versailles restaurant

The menu for Versailles and Aqua changed nightly and for the most part I couldn’t fault it. Some of my personal highlights (if you see them come up) are the peanut bang bang chicken and shrimp and the rainbow trout.

Bang bang chicken and shrimp served at Versailles and Aqua on the Norwegian Star

Coconut shrimp on the Norwegian star

We dined at Ginza, the included Chinese restaurant only twice over the 30 nights we were onboard the Norwegian Star on our back to back sailing.

I would say the food at Ginza was a bit ordinary overall. It had a bit of an MSG taste if I’m honest. A special mention to the fried vegetable pot stickers at Ginza which stood out from the rest of the menu and are worthwhile ordering if you decide to dine there. 

The pub O’Sheehans was the only restaurant on the Star that opened 24/7. In the past Norwegian cruises have offered a late night small buffet so you can have a snack after the show finished but it seems this stopped after COVID-19 which I think is a bit poor. 

O’Sheehans has a great pub menu and is worth visiting for their burgers, sandwiches and hot dogs. It is also the only place on the ship which serves Guinness beer which my husband and father appreciated. If you are traveling in a group, it is also one of the most likely places you will get a window ocean view table as the tables at Versailles are mostly set up for couples.

The Garden cafe had some good food on offer too. One night they had suckling pig on the menu which was seriously delicious and we really enjoyed.

There are also 6 specialty dining restaurants onboard the Star where a fee, dining package or voucher applies: Cagneys Steakhouse, La Cucina Italian, Le Bistro French, Moderno Brazilian, Sushi and Teppanyaki. If you don’t have a dining package included in your cruise/ are not a platinum number, I believe you can purchase a package onboard for around $50 USD per person per restaurant.

Out of the 6 specialty dining restaurants onboard the Norwegian Star we tried 4: Cagneys Steakhouse, La Cucina Italian, Le Bistro French and Moderno Brazilian.

We had 1 speciality dining included in our cruise as part of a promotion. Plus, if you cruise with Norwegian a lot and hit “platinum status” you get 2 extra speciality dining included per cruise of 5 days or longer. So in total we had 3 per cruise and 9 speciality dining in total during our 30 days at sea.

Cagneys Steakhouse had very good food especially the Filet Mignon steak (highly recommended). A few in our group tried some of the other steak cuts at the restaurants and none compared to the quality of the Filet Mignon. Don’t be turned off by the fact that you don’t get as much Filet Mignon 8oz as the other cuts of steak where you get as much as double as it is plenty and you will leave feeling rather full, quality over quantity I say. Other good options at the restaurant are the onion soup (very good) and the shrimp cocktail. 

La Cucina Italian was a big let-down. If you only want to try a few of the speciality dining restaurants onboard, I would avoid this one. The pizza was border-line uneatable. The pasta meals were pretty basic with the one saving grace the lasagne, which was above average.

We dined at Le Bistro French several times during the cruise as the food was absolutely top notch. My family were disgusted by the idea of ordering escargots (snails) but after trying one of my garlic snail deliciousness, they ended up all ordering the entree themselves next time we dined there.

The beetroot goats cheese salad as well as the duck main are also highly recommended. I ordered duck every single time we dined at Le Bistro as it was that good!

Duck meal at Le Bistro French restaurant Norwegian Star

Moderno Brazilian was a mixed bag. The boys really enjoyed it but my mother and myself didn’t really rate it. I would say the meat was a bit too salty for my personal taste. It does include a really nice buffet which includes sushi and yummy cheeses to start with as an entree which is really nice.

Beverages and Bars onboard

On Norwegian, you have the choice to buy a NCL beverage package which gives you access to all drinks (except speciality coffees like lattes) under $15 in value OR you can buy what you want onboard as you go.

If we are traveling in a group, as we were on this cruise, we usually buy the beverage package as it is more economical if you are consuming a bit of grog. Norwegian often offers “Free at Sea” promos where they throw in the beverage package into the price of the cruise for a few hundred extra. There is also a beverage gratuity added if you decide to purchase the beverage package.

There are numerous bars you can visit around the ship with our favorites being Gatsbys, the Mojito bar, the Bliss lounge and the Whisky bar.

I was very happy overall with the choice and quality of beverages onboard the Star. If you like a good red wine, I would recommend trying the Barkan Classic from Israel which was really nice.

As mentioned, speciality coffees like lattes are not included in the beverage package and I really think they should be when ships like Costa do include them when buying their beverage package. That is my only complaint about the beverages.

One of our favourite wines onboard the Star

We found the staff on the Norwegian Star a little hit and miss. There were some seriously fantastic but others were borderline bad.

The customer service overall at Norwegian needs serious improvement. You could line up for hours at customer service at the ship and have nothing done for you.  Try calling Norwegian on the phone and it’s even worse. No-one in customer service seems to know what’s going on. For example, as a platinum member, you are supposed to get chocolate covered strawberries delivered to the room. Despite asking multiple times, they did not arrive to our room on our last leg of the cruise.

On the other hand, we met a bartender called Rico who was a champion and made our time on the cruise an absolute pleasure. He’s the best – 10/10 for Rico. Rico worked with a bartender called Jeffrey in a duo who was also really lovely.

The staff at the restaurants were also generally really nice and helpful. We often ordered multiple meals and they were really kind and didn’t care how much we ordered or make us feel like pigs. I also ordered extra this or that like extra shrimp in one meal and they were happy to oblige. 

Norwegian helps you with your luggage when you leave the ship, which is a great service, but when I went to collect mine, someone had spilt some large drink on it which I didn’t appreciate. When I went to inform staff at the terminal, it was difficult to find anyone and no-one seemed to care much.

Rating: 6/10

Cabins – Inside State Room

The Norwegian Star is an older ship and the cabins are really started to shown the age of the ship. The cabins are very clean and comfortable but they are showing signs of age like marks on the counter and yellow-ing of the walls.

We stayed in an inside cabin while onboard and it was ample for 2 people but I would not recommend anymore than 2 people staying inside, despite the fact there is a pull down bunk, it would be extremely crowded with more than 2 people. If you are traveling as a family with kids, I would recommend a larger room, like a balcony.

Included in the inside cabin is a double bed, full size floor to ceiling mirror, tv and desk/makeup station with a mirror as well as a private bathroom with a decent sized shower.

If you are traveling to somewhere that has the midday sun in summer, an inside cabin was really great as it totally blocked out the light. My parents usually book a balcony but loved their inside cabin for the light-blocking capabilities. 

Rating: 7/10

What rooms to avoid on the Norwegian Star?

If you are susceptible to motion sickness, you will want to get a room in mid-ship, ideally on the lowest floor possible.

I would also avoid any rooms in close proximity (either next to or above) restaurants and bars due to noise.

We stayed on level 9 (front) and my parents stayed on level 4 (mid) and their room was far more stable. Ours rocked around more when the seas became rougher.

We use wifi to work and purchased the unlimited wifi plan onboard. It was a big let-down. The wifi package costs around $40 USD a day for access, for the fastest package. There are 2 packages that you can choose from: one that is only good for checking emails etc and one that is supposed to be fast enough to stream. Well, half the time it did not work at all.

If the wifi flat out does not work after you buy it, you can visit the Internet Cafe staff and they will normally give you a refund so that is a good saving grace.

Rating: 5/10

Activities onboard

One thing I think Norwegian does really well is that they constantly entertain you while on board. The entertainment schedule you receive on the Freestyle Daily delivered to your room each day is packed with activities to choose from.

There is something to suit everyones taste from Trivia to “Game Shows” like the Newlywed Not So Newlywed show. This game show is a Norwegian classic and if you start to do multiple Norwegian cruises you will see it again and again but it’s pretty funny and doesn’t get old – I will let you experience it for yourself.

There is also karaoke and dance classes you can take part in, amoung other things. They have sadly taken out some of the more “contact activities” since COVID like the ultimate dance off where you partner with a member of the production crew and compete.

We noticed some other thing had also stopped since COVID like the towel animals. I suppose there is too much contact with guests towels for them to continue this cute housekeeping perk.

Rating: 8/10

As I said before, the Norwegian Star is an older ship which means the facilities are nowhere near as high quality as some of the newer and bigger ships in their fleet.

There is a small heated pool with four hot tubs in the middle of the boat as well as 2 hot tubs at the back of the boat for guests use. There are 2 hot tubs at the front of the boat for staff use only. There are no water slides on this cruise or rock climbing.

There is a small basketball court as well as a tiny driving range. The gym area was large and modern. We visited almost every day to try to offset the food we were consuming.

If you have kids there is a kids club area as well.

We visited Edinburgh, the Orkney islands, the Shetland islands, up the coast of Norway, around Iceland and to Greenland. The Star’s itinerary constantly changes based on what time of year you are booking.

Unlike some ships that constantly just go back and forward to the Bahamas or Alaska, the Star visits lots of different ports around the world. For the last few years, the Star has been sailing around South America in December, a route the Sun used to do.

I’m only giving the rating an 8/9 as due to the Star being a cheaper ship it often does not get the dock and has to use tender boats to access the ports of call which is more annoying and takes longer to do.

A cruise port in Iceland visited from the Norwegian Star

How to get the best price?

If you are flexible with dates, you can search Cruisedirect by month for all sailings.

We booked our cruise through Cruisedirect and we recommend you do the same because they consistently have the best deals. We paid around $600 USD per 10 day cruise which was great value.

What we like is that the site is quite user friendly and you can search cruises by price.

7 Night Caribbean Cruises from $469 on Norwegian, only at Cruisedirect.com. FREE Open Bar & Shore Excursions, Plus Up to $500 to Spend On Board!

Norwegian Star Review: Overall rating 8/10

All in all considered, I would give the Star a rating of 8 out of 10. A few areas of the cruise weren’t great but overall I had a really good time and would travel on the ship again.

I would say areas like the lower quality facilities and the older cabins did not overall detract from the enjoyment of my trip. While some of the staff were crap, others we will never forget and really made our journey enjoyable.

The Norwegian Star tends to be selling at a lower price point due to the age and the size of the ship and if you can get a good deal, I would recommend going for it! I think you’ll have a great time.

If you are planning on traveling on the Norwegian Star and have a question or if you have traveled on it as a past guest and have a comment, our readers would love to hear from you as every tip counts so leave a comment below!

More cruising fun:

• Best cruise shirts for couples
• Norwegian Prima cruise review

Click here to learn more about Couple Travel the World.

View all posts

• Holiday Rentals
• Restaurants
• Things to do
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from California
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Florida
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Miami
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from New York City
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from San Juan
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Vancouver
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Quebec City
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Southampton
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from London
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Barcelona
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Venice
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Amsterdam
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Copenhagen
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Civitavecchia
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Sydney
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Hong Kong
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Singapore
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Dubai
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Buenos Aires
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises from Auckland
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Caribbean
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Barbados
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to British Virgin Islands
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Tortola
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to St. Kitts and Nevis
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to St. Kitts
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Spain
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Andalucia
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Catalonia
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Barcelona
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Italy
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Campania
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Lazio
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Tuscany
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Florence
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Portugal
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to São Miguel
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Ponta Delgada
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Lisbon
• Norwegian (NCL) Cruises to Colombia
• Family Norwegian (NCL) Cruises
• Things to Do
• Travel Stories
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travellers' Choice
• Help Centre

Norwegian Star Deck Plans & Reviews

Norwegian Star

Activities & entertainment

• Arts and Crafts Classes
• Behind the Scenes Tour *
• Bliss Ultra Lounge
• Dance Classes
• Deck Parties
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes *
• Gaming Lessons *
• Golf Driving Net
• Whirlpools (5)
• Hydrotherapy Pool *
• Internet Cafe *
• Jogging Track
• Late Night Dancing
• Poolside Games
• Spa and Salon *
• Sports Court
• Sports Deck
• The Library
• Video Arcade *
• Wine Tasting *
• Entourage Teen Club
• Splash Academy Youth Center
• Comedy Performances
• Onboard Movie Screenings
• Stardust Theater
• Live Nightly Music
• Sports Games Televised
• OSheehans Neighborhood Bar and Grill - Pub
• Sushi Bar - Sushi Bar *
• Aqua Main Dining Room - Main
• Versailles Main Dining Room - Main
• Ginza Restaurant - Asian
• Moderno Churrascaria - Brazillian *
• Gatsbys Champagne Bar - Champagne Bar *
• Sugarcane Mojito Bar - Mojito Bar *
• Le Bistro French Restaurant - French *
• La Cucina Italian Restaurant - Italian *
• Teppanyaki - Japanese *
• Sake Bar - Japanese Sake *
• Topsiders Bar - Pool Bar *
• Cagneys Steakhouse - Steakhouse *
• Atrium Cafe - Atrium Bar *
• Proof Whiskey - Whiskey Bar *
• Room Service *

Reviews We perform checks on reviews. Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines , the review is not published. When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines . Learn more about our review moderation.

• Excellent 24
• Very Good 41
• Terrible 36
• All languages ( 156 )
• English ( 144 )
• Spanish ( 9 )
• German ( 1 )

Upcoming itineraries

Norwegian Star Review [A 10 Day Mediterranean Cruise]

• Post last modified: November 2, 2020
• Post author: Katie Seemann

Share this Share this content

• Opens in a new window Facebook
• Opens in a new window Pinterest
• Opens in a new window X
• Opens in a new window Reddit

I’m not a newbie when it comes to cruising, but this was my first cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line. This was also my first European cruise, so I was excited to check it all out.

The Norwegian Star is a Dawn Class ship that holds about 2,300 passengers, making it a mid-sized ship among today’s standards. It was built in 2001, but it got a makeover in 2018 so it doesn’t feel like an almost 20-year-old ship.

In this post you’ll find my full Norwegian Star review including info about the staterooms, dining options, amenities, kid’s club, art auctions, and shore excursions.

Legal Stuff (aka if I don’t write this the internet gods will not take kindly to me): This post may contain affiliate links and/or credit card referral links.  Also, we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. I’m just a simple girl, trying to make a living off the internet…thanks for your support!!

Norwegian Star Review: A 10 Day Mediterranean Cruise

A Mediterranean cruise is something I’ve wanted to do for a while. I was so excited when the opportunity finally arose to travel with my family to Italy to start our cruise through the Mediterranean.

The interesting thing about this cruise was that the first 2 days were in Venice, so the ship stayed in port on Day 2 so guests could explore Venice. We opted to stay on the ship that day and added 2 days in Venice after the cruise was over.

Day 1: Venice, Italy

Day 2: Venice, Italy

Day 3: Split, Croatia

Day 4: Kotor, Montenegro

Day 5: Corfu, Greece

Day 6: Santorini, Greece

Day 7: Piraeus, Greece (Athens)

Day 8: Mykonos, Greece

Day 9: Kefalonia, Greece

Day 10: Dubrovnik, Croatia

Norwegian Star Staterooms

Staterooms on cruise ships are small, and the rooms on Norwegian Star were no exception. We booked a balcony stateroom, and it was teeny — smaller than most other balcony staterooms we have had on other cruise lines.

Now, you can easily solve the small stateroom problem by booking a suite, but until someone else pays for it, I’ll stick to just a balcony.

The bathroom was small as well, but the layout was one of the better ones on a cruise ship. The shower was actually a decent size, and the toilet had a separate door.

Cruise Tip:

Bring a  hanging toiletry kit!   There is very little counter space in the bathroom and a hanging bag gives you easy access to your bathroom essentials without taking up space.

Norwegian Star Dining Options

I was nervous about the food on the Norwegian Star before we even boarded the boat (as nervous as you can get about food on a 10 day Mediterranean cruise!) Some of my family members reported that the food on previous Norwegian cruises was average awful.

The food ended up exceeding my expectations (although I admit those expectations were low). While the main buffet and dining room weren’t great, the specialty dining was excellent.

I’ve tried specialty dining on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas and I wasn’t impressed, but the specialty dining on the Norwegian Star was awesome.

Norwegian Cruise Line Dining Tip: Norwegian offers a specialty dining package as a special (often called “Free at Sea”) quite often, so I would suggest keeping a look out for that so you can have those restaurants included in your price.

Complimentary Restaurants:

Buffet: I detest buffets and cruise ship buffets are no exception. If, however, you enjoy elbowing strangers to grab 18 different types of food on the same plate then wandering around the crowded dining room to find a space, then you’ll love it.

O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill : This restaurant overlooks the main atrium and has a (shocker) Irish pub type of feel to it. I enjoyed it for breakfast, but it wasn’t awesome for lunch or dinner.

Versailles Main Dining Room: The main dining room wasn’t great. It wasn’t terrible, but I was really happy we only ate here twice.

Aqua Main Dining Room: We only ate here once because we didn’t realize it was a complimentary restaurant at first (oops!) It served the same menu as the main dining room (Versailles), but the atmosphere was so much better. Overall, not a bad place.

Ginza Asian Dining Room: I was surprised to see a specialty type restaurant that was complimentary. It was very good.

Specialty Restaurants:

These restaurants all had an additional charge, either a la carte pricing or a $39 flat fee. You can often find cruise packages that include specialty dining — do this (you won’t regret it).

Reservations are recommended. Especially if you are traveling with a large group, make your reservations on the first day. Restaurants can book up quickly.

Cagney’s: This steakhouse offers a la carte pricing, and was a crowd favorite.

La Cucina: A la carte pricing is offered at this Italian restaurant. It was good, but hard to compare to the Italian food we had in Venice!

Le Bistro: This French restaurant offers a la carte pricing and a delicious menu. We all enjoyed this one.

Moderno: This is a Churrascaria (think meat on a stick) restaurant that charged a flat $39 fee.

Sushi Bar: The sushi bar is within the Ginza Asian Dining Room and offers a la carte pricing. You can sit at the sushi bar or order sushi from your table at Ginza. They were very accommodating and made me a lovely veggie sushi. I ended up going back the next night.

Teppanyaki: This traditional teppanyaki restaurant charged a $39 flat fee.

If you are looking for a relaxing pool day without the crowds, stay on the ship while it’s in port. Most of the passengers will get off the ship leaving the pool much less crowded!

Norwegian Star Amenities

If you have been on a cruise before, you might notice the lack of amenities on the Norwegian Star. One of the big problems with this ship is that it only has 1 pool and it’s small!

You won’t find the high-end amenities that you might see on some bigger or newer ships like rock climbing, a wave rider, water slides, or an ice skating rink.

What you will find is some bare-bones amenities (as far as mega cruise ships go) including:

• Shuffleboard
• Fitness center
• Video game room
• Golf driving nets
• Walking track

Check to see if your cruise is going to a destination that has a  sunscreen ban . If so, you will want to be sure to pack some  reef-safe sunscreen, so you don’t have to purchase it at an overpriced gift shop.

Norwegian Star Kids Club

This was my daughter’s second cruise and I was thrilled to find the kid’s club! Free babysitting, y’all!!

The facilities and staff were great, and I felt totally comfortable leaving my 5-year-old in their care. They offered lots of themed events and you could even leave the kids there for meals (although there’s an extra charge for that.)

On the last day, the kids put on a show in the ship’s theater — it was a much bigger production than I was expecting. My daughter was thrilled to be able to do a show in the big theater.

Overall, I have zero complaints about the Norwegian Star kids club.

Norwegian Star Art Auctions

Cruise ship art auctions are my favorite onboard activity. I’ve always been artsy, so I gravitate toward these events easily. Once I bought my first piece of art (a Michael Godard onboard the Caribbean Princess) I was hooked.

Since then, I plan my cruise ship days based on art auctions and other art events. I think they’re fun even if you don’t buy anything (but, of course, I usually do!)

The auctions on the Norwegian Star are run by Park West Gallery . If you have ever been to an auction on a cruise, it was probably a Park West auction.

Unfortunately, the art auctions on the Norwegian Star were the most unorganized and poorly run auctions of any ship I have ever been on.

The ship didn’t have a great space for the auctions, and the art team (while they were mostly lovely people) just seemed like they didn’t know what was going on half the time.

If this were my first experience with cruise ship art auctions, I think it would have been my last.

It can get windy on a cruise ship deck. Leave your big, floppy hats at home and instead opt for a cruise friendly hat like  this one .

Norwegian Star Shore Excursions

There are so many different shore excursions you can choose from during a cruise. There is some debate about whether or not it’s best to book through the cruise line or to book on your own.

On one hand, if you book through the cruise, you don’t have to do any research because it’s all laid out for you. Plus, you won’t get left behind if your tour runs late. But booking excursions on your own tends to be cheaper. So, there are benefits to both.

I tend to book through the cruise line because I like things easy, but I’m not opposed to booking separately if the occasion arises.

I tried out these tours on this cruise:

• Charming Split Riviera & River Cruise: This tour involved a little boat ride, a small lunch consisting of prosciutto, cheese, bread, olives, and wine, and then a walking tour through Split. I enjoyed it, but this would also be an easy stop to get off and walk around Split on your own. Book your own Split river cruise here.
• Best of Montenegro: Montenegro was so surprising to me — the scenery was gorgeous! What I liked about this tour is that we took a bus up the mountain, so we got killer views of our cruise ship in Boka Bay. Book your own Best of Montenegro tour here.
• Corfu Beach Break: This was a nice half-day transfer to the beach. The beach was all rocks until you were well into the water, so you might want to invest in some water shoes. I really enjoyed this relaxing day on an otherwise very busy trip. Book your own Corfu tour here.
• Charming Oia and Winery: The tour itself was good and I enjoyed the winery stop, but I really was disappointed with Oia! This was one of the main places I was interested in on this trip and it was the biggest let down — it was too crowded with people trying to get that 1 iconic shot of the blue roofs. (If you are looking for a charming Greek Island, stick with Mykonos). Book your own tour of Santorini here.
• Best of Athens and its Scenic Coast:  This was a full-day tour that took us to the Acropolis, the temple of Poseidon, and included a drive through Athens. Plus the lunch that was included in this tour was AMAZING!!! I was shocked at how much I liked Greek food. Book your own tour of Athens here.
• Cephalonia Highlights:  If you like sitting on a bus for 4 hours, then this is the tour for you…otherwise, I’d skip this one. Book your own Cephalonia tour here.

Ports Where You Can Explore On Your Own

1. When you’re in Mykonos, Greece you can just get off the ship and wander around the little town. It’s so charming and there are tons of restaurants and shops to check out. I LOVED this place!

2. Dubrovnik, Croatia is another city where it’s relatively easy to get off the ship and wander on your own. We purchased cable car tickets ahead of time (because they were cheaper online), but other than that we just winged it.

3. If your cruise is stopping in Santorini, Greece you can get off the ship and head up the cliff (you’ll need to take a cable car) to the town of Fira. Honestly, I liked this town so much better than Oia (which is what everyone associates with Santorini) — if I ever go back, I’ll stay in Fira. We also had an awesome dinner in town at Ouzeri. The food was incredible!

A word of warning: getting the cable car down to your ship in Fira can get super busy — we waited in line for about 1.5 hours!!! So, leave plenty of time to get back down so you don’t get left on Santorini!

4. Split, Croatia is another port that has a bustling town right at the cruise ship port. You can stop at a restaurant or walk through the old walled part of the city very easily without a tour.

5. Venice, Italy is another port where you can just hop off and walk around. I loved just wandering the charming streets, stopping in for pizza and wine along the way. If you’re traveling to Venice with kids, check out these ideas for things to do in Venice with kids.

Email address:

SAVE THIS ON PINTEREST!

You Might Also Like

Explore Hamilton County, Indiana [Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield]

A Weekend In Savannah, Georgia [Things To Do, Dining, Hotels, Tours]

Exploring Kelleys Island and Sandusky [Ohio’s Shores and Islands]

By continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.

• Enable Accessibility

• 00800 0310 21 21 1-855-577-9489 1-877-288-3037 1-877-288-3037 1-877-474-2969
• | NCL Travel Blog">11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
• | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruise Tour | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruise Tour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | Norwegian Cruise Line">20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | NCL Travel Blog">11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
• View All Results
• Preferences
• Latitudes Rewards
• Special Offers
• Personalised Recommendations
• Make reservations before you cruise
• 1 (current)

* Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings.

• Cruise Ships

Norwegian Star

• Destinations
• What’s On Board?
• Things to Know
• VIEW CRUISES
• Email Sign Up For Special Offers
• Phone Let Us Call You

Recently refurbished as part of The Norwegian Edge programme, Norwegian Star brings freedom and flexibility to cruises spanning the Mediterranean , Northern Europe , South America , and Transatlantic . Onboard, Norwegian Star features a large delicious dining options, bars and lounges, a sprawling spa, an always-exciting casino with VIP area, plus tonnes of fun for kids of every age. Europe , sipping Piña Coladas in The Caribbean , or cruising across the Atlantic, this ship offers it all. -->

• Ship 91,740 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 2,298 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Length 294 m Overall Length
• Width 38 m Max Beam
• Year 2021 Refurbished Year Built 2001
• Crew 1,031 Ship Crew

Norwegian Star CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHTS

Norwegian Star Reintroduced

If you think you know Norwegian Star, think again. Recently refurbished as part of The Norwegian Edge programme, the ship underwent extensive enhancements to its staterooms, public spaces, restaurants, bars and lounges.

NEW! Spice H20

New to Norwegian Star, Spice H20 is an adult-only escape. By day, you can sip cold cocktails from your reclined lounge chair. By night, it's a whole different beat. Let loose and dance beneath the stars.

World-Class Spa

Revive, refresh and recharge in the recently refurbished Mandara Spa®. Let our pampering professionals soothe and rejuvenate you with facials, massages, acupuncture, and more. Our full menu of services will leave you feeling like a million!

Norwegian Star Cruise Image Gallery

• Moderno Churrascaria
• Mandara Spa
• Stunning views in our Deluxe Owner's Suite
• Garden Villa Courtyard
• Wine Cellar
• Star Casino

Discover Her Unique CRUISE DESTINATIONS

Extraordinary Journeys

Set sail from one destination and end in another. It's the ultimate way to experience it all.

Mediterranean Cruises

Travel through Italy whilst indulging in traditional flavours and admiring iconic landmarks. Discover Barcelona's unique Catalan identity whilst taking in its stunning architecture and delectable dining.

Northern Europe Cruises

Experience incredible history, famous landmarks and unique culture in grand style.

South America Cruises

If you've ever wondered what's at the end of the rainbow, discover exotic South America.

Transatlantic Cruises

Leisure days at sea, exciting moonlit nights, and nothing to distract from the journey ahead.

The ultimate cruise experience. Ideal for two…or the whole family. Enjoy the finest touches throughout. Indulge in all-day luxury. Watch moonlight dance on waves from your private balcony.

Wake up to brilliant views from sliding glass doors, plus enjoy the extra room in your sitting area. Club Balcony Suites also feature a luxurious bath and shower, room for up to four and more.

Experience it all. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open to your own private balcony. Or unwind inside in well-appointed and stylish accommodations.

Stylish and comfortable oceanview staterooms feature excellent appointments. All accented by stylish touches and a large picture window with clear views of the sea.

Cruise where comfort meets value. You'll find everything you'll need at sea. Thoughtful and stylish appointments include a TV, sitting area and more.

Experience WHAT’S ON BOARD

• Speciality Dining
• Bars & Lounges
• Entertainment
• Onboard Shopping

Serving a wide variety of culinary delights to please every palate, our complimentary dining options include two main dining rooms, a help-yourself buffet and a variety of casual cafés, grills and on-the-go choices. Plus, our Main Dining Rooms offer a menu that changes daily, Chef's Signature Dishes and carefully selected wine recommendations, guaranteeing a different culinary adventure with every visit.

Enjoy a night of gastronomic proportions at one of our many speciality restaurants. Sip your favourite cocktail as you select from choice cuts of Angus beef at Cagney's Steakhouse. Enjoy delicious pasta made with the freshest ingredients inside our rustic and chic Italian eatery, La Cucina. Or savour French cuisine at Le Bistro. No matter what you choose, our speciality dining options feature the tastes you'll crave.

With so many bars and lounges to discover, finding your favourite may take a few days. Pop some bubbly and toast to the good life inside Gatsby's Champagne Bar. Or work on perfecting your tan as you relax poolside at Topsiders Bar. Whether you're looking to meet up with friends or make new ones, there's always an opportunity to mix it up.

When it comes to the entertainment on Norwegian Star, there's never a dull moment. Travel back in time to the 70s club 'Band on the Run' and enjoy the soaring melodies of Styx, Donna Summer, and Queen. This club caters to the elite and your name is at the top of the guest list. Why not experience the mysterious but urban club Paridis production show? A visual feast that will delight and entice all of your senses. Or simply grab a drink and join your Entertainment staff in the Bliss Lounge for our fun packed gameshows and parties, every evening. It's showtime. All the time

From top to bottom and from bow to stern, Norwegian Star ships have enough onboard activities to fill every minute of your cruise. Indulge in a refreshing swim, cocktail or ice cream treat at The Oasis Pool. Wanna get lucky? Bet it all at our award-winning Casinos at Sea®. And when all is said and done, enjoy a pamper session at Mandara Spa. With so much to do, we'll always have you coming back for more.

When you want some "me" time, look no further than Mandara Spa®. Relax with a hot-stone massage, one of over 50 speciality treatments offered. At our onboard spas, treatments range from the classic to the luxurious. Let our pampering professionals soothe and rejuvenate you with facials, massages, acupuncture and a full menu of services.

Forget to pack something? No worries! Our gift shops onboard carry everything you'll need for fun in the sun. Shop from a variety of souvenirs, cosmetics, clothing, snacks and sundry items. Treat yourself at our duty-free shops full of fantastic savings on fine jewellery, accessories, perfume, liquor and tobacco.

Read THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT

Dining On Board

From casual buffets to exquisite speciality restaurants, learn everything there is to know about dining on board.

Cruise Norwegian App

Download the Cruise Norwegian app. Think of it as your travel companion, helping you experience an unforgettable cruise holiday every step of the way.

If You Like Norwegian Star, You May Also Be Interested In:

OUR CRUISE OFFERINGS

2024 cruise schedule, scenic cruise .

You’ll be treated to stories of the incredible history of Lake Memphremagog and the greatest views this area has to offer over the course of each 2 hour adventure.  A f ull beverage service and light snacks are available during the cruise.  

Reservations are highly recommended as we do sell out.

The Scenic Cruise is $40 for Adults (12+ yrs) & $25 for children (3 to 11 yrs.) Children under age 3 are free!

May 24th – June 13th

Fridays – 2pm

Saturdays – 11am & 2pm

Sundays –   3pm & 6pm

June 14th – September 15th

Wed & Thur – 2pm & 6pm

Friday – 11am & 2pm

Saturday – 11am & 2pm

Sunday –   3pm & 6pm

September 16th – October 31st

Friday – 1pm

Saturday – 1pm

Sunday –  5pm

Dinner Cruise 

Join us on Friday and Saturday nights to enjoy dinner on the lake! We partner with local restaurants to bring you a special dinner, buffet style. Beer and wine is available for purchase in our pub aboard the Northern Star! 

Reservations are highly recommended as we do sell out. 

The Dinner Cruise is $75 for Adults (12+ yrs) & $40 for children (3 to 11 yrs.) Children under age 3 are free!

Friday – 6pm

Saturday – 6pm

Friday – 5pm

Saturday – 5pm

Sunday Brunch Cruise

Enjoy a delicious menu stocked with brunch favorites as you take in panoramic views of Lake Memphremagog!

Experience a buffet-style brunch with freshly prepared dishes by one of our partner restaurants from the area. Coffee, tea and juice is included with the brunch. Beer, wine, champagne and mimosas are available for purchase in our pub area.

Reservations are required as we do sell out!

The Sunday Brunch Cruise is $60 for Adults (12+ yrs) & $35 for children (3 to 11 yrs.) Children under age 3 are free!

May 24th – June 13th 

Sunday –  11am

Sunday – 11am

International Long Distance Canadian Cruise

You are in for an extremely special, one of a kind excursion that can only be found here on International Lake Memphremagog. We’ll comfortably navigate a steady course due North over 20 miles into Canadian waters. The lake gets narrow and deep, the mountains get beautiful, the history is rich, the islands are numerous and the homes are majestic. You will pass by Owls Head Resort, Georgeville, Historic Perkins Pier, Molson Island and more. No where else in the country can you experience an International Cruise like this. 

Lunch included

4 Hours of breathtaking international sights 

Your personal on-board historian/storyteller

Adult beverages and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase

No Passports Required – just drivers license or ID card

The International Long Distance Canadian Cruise is $105 for Adults (12+ yrs) & $46 for children (3 to 11 yrs.) Children under age 3 are free!

The Northern Star sails rain or shine! Please check booking information for any additional questions or email [email protected]

Partial Funding Provided by: North Country Federal Credit Union

More From Forbes

How to see the best of northern europe on a scandinavian cruise.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Cruise ship passengers enjoy the view of Sweden’s Stockholm archipelago from the Royal Caribbean ... [+] ship ‘Serenade of the Seas.’

If you’ve ever wanted to dive into the culture of the Vikings or explore what makes people in the Nordic region the so-called happiest on earth, you could do a lot worse than book a Scandinavian cruise.

Scandinavia—and Norway in particular—is an expensive place to travel around, so a cruise can make financial sense for those seeking an introduction to the region. For one price, you get your travel, accommodation, meals, and entertainment covered.

Such a trip offers the opportunity to sample various Scandinavian travel highlights , whether you prefer the Scandinavian capitals, the stunning Norwegian fjords, or soaking up the atmosphere of beautiful islands and historic ports in the Baltic Sea.

Popular Scandinavian Cruise Itineraries

Many different types of itinerary can be advertised as Scandinavian cruises. Typically, they focus on the Nordic capital cities. Some may also include the highlights of the Baltic Sea region, including the Baltic countries and ports in the north of Germany and Poland.

With popular Norwegian fjords cruises together with midnight sun and northern lights tours to the north of Norway also available, there is a lot of diversity in Scandinavian cruises.

Scandinavian Capitals : Cruise itineraries starting in the U.K. or Germany and calling in at two or even all three of Oslo, Stockholm, and Copenhagen have long been popular.

Apple’s iPhone AI Plans Confirmed With New Software Release

Samsung is giving away a free galaxy s24 in a new promotion, the fallout 4 next gen update is not going great.

The Nyhavn district of Copenhagen, Denmark, is a popular destination for cruise ship passengers ... [+] visiting Scandinavia.

Helsinki is often included on such itineraries. If you want to explore modern Scandinavia while gaining access to some of the region’s best museums, such an itinerary is a perfect choice.

Such itineraries tend to be shorter, and are a great introduction to both cruising and Scandinavia, with limited sea days and plenty to see and do while in port.

Baltic Sea : Longer Scandinavian itineraries often include stops at Baltic Sea islands and ports. The beautiful Estonian capital city, Tallinn, or the Latvian capital, Riga, are particular highlights, as are ports on the northern coastline of Germany and Poland.

For those interested in Viking history, look out for smaller ship itineraries featuring Visby on the wonderful island of Gotland .

One such trip is this 12-night itinerary from Celebrity Cruises, which includes a visit to both Visby and Tallinn. Other highlights include a visit to Stockholm and Copenhagen, including an overnight stop in the latter.

The old city walls of Visby on Gotland island, a popular cruise port.

Norwegian Fjords : By far the most variety can be found in the Norwegian fjords region , with almost all major cruise lines operating at least some itineraries here. Although port calls in Flåm and Geiranger will soon be severely limited, many alternative ports will still be able to welcome some of the world’s largest cruise ships.

Whether you prefer the action-packed ships of Royal Caribbean or MSC, or the smaller ships that can sail along narrower fjords, there will be a Norwegian fjords itinerary for you.

Following the recent rise in popularity of the region as a cruising destination, the fjords season has extended, with trips available as early as April and as late as September.

British line P&O Cruises operates its relatively new megaship Iona in the fjords region for much of that period, with regular departures from Southampton on a popular 7-day itinerary.

Midnight Sun : Although all summer cruises in the region will experience long summer days, specific midnight sun itineraries set sail for the far north of Norway to let guests experience the thrill of being outside with the sun in the sky at midnight. Many of these trips visit Honningsvåg, which allows guests to travel by bus to the North Cape.

Northern Lights : In recent years, Scandinavia—or more specifically Norway—has become a year-round cruising destination thanks to the growth in popularity of northern lights cruises .

Aurora borealis in the sky seen from a cruise ship in Arctic Norway.

These itineraries can be found heading north of the Arctic Circle between October and early April.

Planning Tips For Scandinavian Cruises

Cruising in Northern Europe offers a fantastic variety of excursions and experiences, from historical city tours to adrenaline-filled outdoor adventures.

The region’s love of the outdoors lifestyle means active experiences are easy to find, both through cruise line excursions and independent operators.

The high levels of English comprehension across the region means booking your own activities and exploring ports independently is much easier than in many other parts of the world. Even so, look for independent tours that take place earlier in the day to reduce any time-related risk.

No matter when you visit Scandinavia, pack for all weathers. The height of summer can be marred by heavy rainfall, while it’s possible to get sunburnt in the snow-covered conditions of February and March.

Pack a versatile wardrobe. Layered clothing accommodates the region's variable weather, while specialized gear might be necessary for specific excursions.

Cruising And Sustainability

Prospective travelers should be aware of environmental concerns associated with cruising in this pristine region. The industry is moving towards sustainability, with initiatives to introduce zero-emission vessels in sensitive areas, particularly the UNESCO-listed Norwegian fjords .

Some local initiatives protesting against cruise travel have also gathered momentum, so cruisers should be aware of these issues before setting foot ashore.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Northern lights cruises: A guide to chasing the aurora borealis at sea

Witnessing the elusive northern lights flickering across the sky might cause you to gasp because it's actually that cool. The colorful ribbons of green look like something from outer space — and they are. Auroras appear when charged particles collide with Earth's atmosphere.

Seeing the ethereal display, also known as the aurora borealis, is a bucket-list experience for many travelers. Cruise ships can take you to destinations where your chances of catching Mother Nature's special light show are improved.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Remember that seeing this phenomenon doesn't involve a cruise director flipping on a switch. Witnessing the northern lights requires clear and dark skies, late-night viewing hours, enough solar activity for the colors to appear and a big dose of luck. Keep that in mind before you invest all your cruise vacation hopes in this one experience.

Where can I see the northern lights on a cruise?

The lights are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere and especially in locations on the so-called auroral oval, a ring zone over the polar regions. In cruising terms, that means prime viewing is in northern Alaska (which is easily accessible on cruisetours), Norway, Iceland, Arctic Canada and parts of Greenland.

Just off the auroral ring is the rest of Alaska. If you are on a cruise in the Inside Passage before April 21 or after Aug. 21 and are willing to be awake in the middle of the night (the lights tend to appear in Alaska after midnight), there's a chance you'll see the aurora borealis.

Cruise lines operating in Alaska — including Holland America , Princess Cruises and UnCruise Adventures — have northern lights sign-up sheets so you don't have to stay up all night, every night, hoping to see the display. Put your name on the list, and you'll receive a wake-up call or knock on your cabin door if there's aurora action. Plan to put on your clothes or bathrobe quickly, as the lights might only appear for a few minutes. (They could also last considerably longer.)

Related: Peak solar activity is forecast for 2024: Here are the best places around the world to see the northern lights

If you're interested in where to see the northern lights outside Alaska, the Arctic city of Alta, Norway, calls itself "The City of Northern Lights."

Alta's credentials include the world's first permanent observatory for viewing the aurora borealis; it was built there in 1899. A whole industry has sprung up around the lights, including such extravagant shore excursions as an overnight in a tent with viewing windows at a Sami dog-sledding camp. Alta is also home to the Northern Lights Cathedral, an architectural landmark.

Tromso is another Norwegian destination known as a hub for aurora borealis viewing. In late January, there's a northern lights arts festival featuring top artists in various musical genres.

Cunard Line and Hurtigruten are among the lines that visit northern Norway in the fall. However, the peak viewing season is from November to March (see below). Viking also visits but in the winter.

Iceland, Greenland and Arctic Canada appear on many expedition ships' itineraries during northern lights season, mostly early in the season in August and September. Lines with ships there include Quark Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions and Lindblad Expeditions.

When can I see the northern lights on a cruise?

Because of the late-setting and early rising midnight sun, it's way too light during the summer to see the northern lights in the destinations mentioned, but solar activity does take place year-round.

If you have a goal of seeing the aurora borealis in any of the destinations discussed here, you're best off booking as far into the fall as you can find a cruise. Norway is the only prime northern lights destination with winter cruises.

The lights like to appear in the wee hours — particularly between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. — in Alaska. An advantage in Norway is that it's dark enough to see them for a longer period during fall and winter.

Do cruisetours in Alaska improve my chances of seeing the lights?

Cruisetours in Alaska can improve your odds of seeing the aurora because they get you to Fairbanks and other inland destinations in Alaska that tend to have more cloud-free skies than in the Inside Passage, where cruise ships sail.

While you might see the lights from Denali National Park and Preserve during the viewing season, venturing to Fairbanks and points farther north will increase your odds.

Fairbanks tourism folks like to brag that if you visit for at least three nights between Aug. 21 and April 21, your chances of seeing the aurora borealis are more than 90%. (That assumes you are out actively looking during the late evening hours.)

Since your cruisetour might not visit for three nights, consider booking extra hotel nights before or after your cruise. Other things to do in this laid-back city (human population: about 100,000; moose population: 16,000) include riverboat tours, gold panning and yoga with reindeer.

You can also see the lights in Canada's Yukon Territory, including in the gold rush town of Dawson City, which is visited on some Holland America cruisetours.

Related: What's the best way to view the northern lights? We tried to see them by air, land and sea

Should I go on a cruise just to see the northern lights?

Yes, but remember that the phenomenon is dependent on the weather (clear skies required) and hard to predict, despite scientists' best efforts.

Viking has wintertime cruises to Norway from London specifically designed to track the lights in the Norwegian Sea during the peak viewing season — throughout the cruise but especially above the Arctic Circle in Tromso and Alta (where the sailings stop overnight). It's dark in these locales in winter, increasing your chances.

Hurtigruten is so invested in its northern lights experiences that it has hired famed northern lights astronomer Tom Kerss as its "chief aurora chaser." He will serve as an onboard expert, offering talks and workshops for passengers.

The line is so sure you will see the lights on the October-through-March sailings of its year-round 11- and 12-day Norwegian Coastal Express itineraries that the company has a guarantee called the Northern Lights Promise. If the deck's officers don't announce to all on board that the northern lights are happening, you can get a six- or seven-day Norwegian Coastal cruise for free.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Caribbean cruise line reroutes ships, cancels stop at island port due to violence, turmoil

• Published: Apr. 25, 2024, 12:11 p.m.

Royal Caribbean International has canceled stops at its private beach in Haiti through September as a result of the violence plaguing the island nation, a private fan blog, citing messages to travelers, reports. AP

• Robert Higgs, cleveland.com

MIAMI – Royal Caribbean has cancelled stops at its private port of Labadee through the summer because of simmering violence in Haiti.

In March, the cruise line canceled stops at the private beach area through May, but this week Royal Caribbean reworked cruise schedules through the summer and into September, a post on the Royal Caribbean Blog said.

“Guests booked on cruises in the summer and early fall are getting notifications from Royal Caribbean that their visits to Labadee have been canceled,” the blog said. “On Tuesday (April 23), cruisers began to share updates they received from Royal Caribbean that their itineraries have been updated to drop Labadee and replace it with another port or a sea day.”

Labadee is a beach area on a peninsula in northern Haiti near Cap-Haitien used exclusively by Royal Caribbean. The cruise line has its own security force at the site, which is walled off from the rest of the country.

The 260-acre site has been leased by Royal Caribbean since the 1980s. It is about a six-hour drive from Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and thus far has not seen any incidents of violence, the blog said.

More than 2,500 people were killed or injured in gang violence from January to March across Haiti, a more than 50% increase from the same period last year, according to a report Friday by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti. The vast majority of violence is in Port-au-Prince .

Cap-Haitien, Haiti’s former capital, has been spared much of the violence and is going through a bit of a resurgence, The Associated Press said . Business owners, anxious parents and even historic state ceremonies have been relocating there, and that began even before gangs started attacking key government infrastructure in Port-au-Prince in late February.

Royal Caribbean International had no formal announcements of the changes posted to its website. Royal Caribbean Blog is an unofficial site for fans of the cruise line and is not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International.

But it cited chatter and messages from cruise ticket holders about changes to their itinerary that showed stops at Labadee were being canceled and replaced with either an extra day of cruising at sea or stops in alternate ports.

A notice from the cruise line, reposted on the blog, informed guests about the change in travel plans, without explicitly mentioning the violence.

“Due to the continuing situation in Haiti, we’ll now visit Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, instead of Labadee, Haiti,” the notice reads. “We’re sorry for the change – your safety is our top priority. Nevertheless, we’re excited to visit a new port with you!”

Grand Turk is the capital island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago north of Haiti.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

• Bahasa Indonesia
• Slovenščina
• Science & Tech
• Russian Kitchen

Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

to our newsletter!

Get the week's best stories straight to your inbox

• What to do in Moscow City, if you’re not mega-rich
• Moscow after dusk: 10 places to drink, dance, and groove
• 5 things you must do in Moscow in 2018 between football matches (or without them)
• Sandwiched between Moscow and St. Petersburg: How to spend a perfect weekend in Tver 
• 24 or 48 hours in Moscow: Where to go and what to do in 2019

This website uses cookies. Click here to find out more.

Flotilla Radisson Royal

• See all photos

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Flotilla Radisson Royal - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)