From The Deck Chair

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Focus On...Norwegian Star, Part II

A multitude of original art adorns Norwegian Star's stair towers.

Norwegian Cruise Line has always held a special place in my heart. It was aboard the Norwegian Wind in 1998 that I took my first cruise, a seven-day voyage to Alaska. Since then, I've sailed aboard Norwegian Sun in 2005 and Norwegian Pearl in 2009 - effectively covering the line both pre-and-post Freestyle Cruising.

The main atrium aboard Norwegian Star, facing aft.

Stepping aboard Norwegian Star for the first time, passengers find themselves in the ship's magnificent atrium. More elaborate and spacious than her later fleetmates, the Norwegian Star's atrium spans three decks in height, with an opening rising the full height of the ship, topped with a skylight. Dual sets of glass elevators flank either side and multiple staircase landings allow passengers from any deck to gaze down at the action far below.

Looking up through the expansive skylight

and glass elevator banks.

The atrium, facing forward.

The atrium is very much the heart of the Norwegian Star, and plays host to a coffee bar, the Guest Services desk, as well as the Shore Excursion desk. Up one level is the Blue Lagoon, NCL's 24-hour, casual dining venue. Specializing in comfort food, this unique eatery carries no surcharge but can be easy to miss - make sure you sample its fare at least once during your cruise. The Internet Centre is one deck up from this, on Deck 9.

The Atrium encompasses decks seven, eight and nine.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

The new photo-gallery occupies the former

location of the Blue Lagoon.

Heading aft on Deck 7 we come to the first altered public room: the new Photo Gallery. Formerly the location of the Blue Lagoon restaurant, the new photo gallery has a bright, airy feel and seems much better suited here than in its previous location farther forward.

The all-new Spinnaker Lounge, aft on Deck 7.

Heading aft still, we come to the brand-new Spinnaker Lounge. Spinnaker's was formerly located up on Deck 12, but was moved to make way for the new staterooms being built. While its new iteration lacks the sweeping views the old room had, its location on Deck 7 makes much more sense: this is your bingo, trivia, and secondary show lounge, and as a result is a popular hotspot.

Seating for large and small groups can be found here.

In keeping with the "freestyle" theme, colors are vivid and bright, but the entire arrangement seems to work well here.

The Red Lion Pub.

Emerging on the port side and heading forward is the Red Lion Pub. Drinks and music are on the menu here, as well as - oddly enough - popcorn that everyone raves about.

Amble up to the bar for a long list of pub favorites.

The entire pub is so well conceived that you'd be forgiven for thinking you were in Dublin and not at sea aboard a 950-foot long ship. Ninety-two people can comfortably sit here, and no doubt that is often the case.

The staircase leading down to deck six, and Bar Central.

Moving forward and crossing over to the starboard side of the ship, we come to the two-level staircase leading to Bar Central. Located on Deck 6, Bar Central has become something of a hallmark on NCL ships and is the result of grouping a series of bars, each with its own particular specialty, together in one area.

Looking down at Gatsby's in Bar Central.

The effect is several intimate areas with the sitting power of a much larger room, and works to great effect. We were a little pressed for time on our tour, so we didn't get a chance to photograph Deck Six up close and personal; rest assured, however, that the concept is executed beautifully.

The proper sushi bar provides an endless array of delicacies.

Ginza and Teppanyaki are our next stops. These unique dining venues occupy one distinct area onboard, and boast a variety of sushi and sashimi prepared right in front of you, all of which can be paired with an excellent Sake.

There's no shortage of tables for two in this

unique dining venue.

The entire Ginza seating area, looking aft.

Within Ginza itself, the Teppanyaki room allows twelve guests to sit at an authentically styled table while their meals are prepared right in front of them in a process that combines cuisine and entertainment. We indulged in a similar offering aboard Norwegian Sun and can say it is well worth the $15 cover charge.

Re-styled and re-located: the new shopping area

aboard Norwegian Star.

Heading forward is the new shopping area, moved from its former location at the stern. Once again, passenger flow seems to have been greatly improved, and the renovation has been completed seamlessly.

The Parisian-themed entrance to

the Stardust Theatre.

The Stardust Theatre: seating for 1,037 guests.

At the very bow of the ship is Norwegian Star's main showroom, the Stardust Theatre. Capable of holding 1,037 guests at any time, NCL's renowned stage productions and entertainment is put on in this room which again holds the semi-Parisian, elegant old-world style found in some of her staterooms.

Relocated but not forgotten: the new library

aboard Norwegian Star.

Up on Deck 12, it's nice to see the library hasn't been forgotten: it's been moved from its former location to an interior position ahead of the pool deck, but still retains its former cozy atmosphere.

The Norwegian Star's funky pool deck.

Speaking of the pool deck, there's plenty of seating for those wishing to soak up the sun, and plenty of pool space for those who prefer to get wet. Two large yellow waterslides ensure the kids are happy, and an outdoor casino - something exclusive to NCL - ensures that those who may normally be cooped up in a windowless casino get some sun.

Intimate dining at Cagney's.

Up one deck is the Star Bar and Cagney's Steakhouse. While both are open to all passengers in the evening - Cagney's for dinner, and the Star Bar for drinks - suite passengers can use these rooms exclusively during breakfast and lunch.

Bar, meeting place, and VIP Lounge: the Star Bar.

We were fortunate to have lunch in Cagneys, and found the food to be a continued improvement over the older NCL-fare. Food is such a subjective issue, but generally, if my fiancee and I can both agree on something, it means the meal was excellent.

Grilled Asparagus appetizer in Cagney's.

NCL has always had excellent chilled soups, and my fiancee raved about the Chilled Banana soup. I had grilled asparagus over prosciutto and roasted portobello mushrooms to start, and the Chicken Fettuccine as a main course. Both were delicious, as was the Carrot Cake dessert. Service was polite and attentive, and staff seemed to be going out of their way to satisfy all their guests.

For dessert: the excellent Carrot Cake.

It's nice to see Norwegian Cruise Line taking an active interest in maintaining and capitalizing on their older vessels. Not that Norwegian Star is in any way old - at nine, she's still got a long way to go. And with these recent renovations, she will no doubt play host to many happy passengers for years to come.

A Maritime Matters-esque carpet shot in Cagney's.

Norwegian Star docked at Canada Place

on October 2nd, 2010.

For more information on the Norwegian Star, her amenities and itineraries, be sure to visit Norwegian Cruise Line's website.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Focus On...Norwegian Star, Part I

Norwegian Star docked at Canada Place

on October 2nd, 2010.

When she was launched in 2001, Norwegian Star was the first ship truly designed and built for Norwegian Cruise Line's "Freestyle Cruising" concept. Freestyle Cruising centered around the idea that, rather than having set dining times at a set table throughout the voyage, passengers should be able to dine when and where they want, and with whomever they choose. Because this would prove problematic in a traditional ship with a single dining room, Norwegian Star was built with no less than thirteen dining options, with nine bars to compliment.

The theme of "choice" extends to passenger accommodations, with a whopping twenty-three distinct staterooms to choose from. Below are some of the most diverse and unique accommodations you'll find aboard the Norwegian Star.

*Please note: all stateroom categories reflect NCL's 2011-2012 Cruise Vacation Guide.

3-Bedroom Garden Villa - Category S1 - Deck 14

The Jacuzzi of Garden Villa # 14500.

The big news-maker when Norwegian Star was launched were her two, three-bedroom Garden Villa suites. Located high above everything on Deck 14, these spacious suites feature a living room overlooking the main pool deck, complete with Grand Piano, sitting area, flat-screen TV, and dining area. Both are accessible only via a private elevator lobby and staircase.

A commanding view of the pool deck.

Adjacent to this is the master bedroom, as well as two additional well-appointed, full-size bedrooms resulting in a gargantuan stateroom that can sleep a total of eight guests. The real 'oooh' factor, though, is in the master bedroom and bathroom.

Garden Villa master bedroom sitting area.

Master bedroom, with bed positioned

towards the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The master bedroom features all the expected amenities, but the real attraction here is the floor-to-ceiling windows that provide an unobstructed view of the ocean. It's not difficult to imagine a room like this paying for itself during scenic cruising of Alaska's Glacier Bay. Indeed, scenic cruising seems to have been on the minds of the designers - something made all the more evident by the truly spectacular bathroom.

Washing your hands doesn't mean being away

from the gorgeous views.

The generous bathroom itself is done with floor-to-ceiling windows, ensuring remarkable views at all times. These windows are tinted from the outside, so occupants need not worry about stepping out of the shower with all that glass around them. In fact, the shower itself is glass.

The shower. Note the wraparound glass 'walls.'

Besides the views, the amount of natural light these Garden Villas let in is remarkable. With the exception of the walk-in closets, not an inch of these rooms lacks a full floor-to-ceiling view of your surroundings.

The Garden Villas boast the same Elemis toiletries

found throughout the ship.

The Garden Villas also boast a private outdoor deck as well, complete with whirlpool, sauna, sitting area, and a picnic-style table for lunching.

Your own private hot tub.

Make no mistake about it: these rooms are big. For a party of eight, they might be just the ticket: they have the space and the 'wow' factor to make for a truly memorable vacation. However, two people might find it a little, well, lonely.

Deluxe Owner's Suites - Category SA - Deck 12

The living room of Deluxe Owner's Suite 12502.

This is a brand-new category for the Norwegian Star, added during her drydock earlier this year. In fact, all staterooms located on Deck 12 are new, and take the place formerly occupied by the Spinnaker Lounge, which was relocated down to Deck 7 during the refit. These rooms have a different color scheme from the rest of the ship, but as Iris, Group Services Coordinator onboard the Norwegian Star pointed out, "It's Freestyle; there's something for everyone."

The four Category SA Owner's Suites are located at the bow of the ship and feature, in my opinion, views that rival the Garden Villas two decks above. Essentially, you're seeing the same views as the Officers on the bridge one deck below.

The dining area of stateroom 12502...

...and the incredible view.

Staterooms 12502 and 12002 are mirror-images of each other, as are 12500 and 12000. These spectacular "bridge wing" views from the dining area are only available in 12502 and 12002.

Master bedroom, 12502.

In all four staterooms, bedrooms are positioned overlooking the ship's bow and feature slanted floor-to-ceiling windows.

Bedroom views facing forward, stateroom 12500.

While none of these Deluxe Owner's Suites feature balconies, their remarkable views more than make up for it. While the outer suites sleep four comfortably, the two inner suites - 12500 and 12000 - can sleep up to six thanks to the inclusion of a small adjacent bedroom that's ideally suited for kids.

Inside Stateroom - Categories I1, IA, IB, IC, ID, IE, IF, IX - Multiple Decks

While we're here on Deck 12, let's pop across the hall and have a look at one of the new Inside Staterooms. Essentially the same in amenities and function as the existing staterooms on other decks, these boast the same modern color schemes as their suite counterparts. Gone are the dazzling array of velvety colors found amongst the existing staterooms, replaced instead with dark woods and charcoal greys that give the room a smart, sophisticated feel. In fact, a few times I felt like I was aboard Holland America's Rotterdam, which recently had her staterooms re-done in a similar scheme.

New category IC Inside Stateroom, Deck 12.

Existing Inside Staterooms (all other categories).

Small, but pleasing nonetheless:

the standard inside stateroom bathroom.

Call me crazy, but I still like inside staterooms. They offer a tremendous value and are perfect for those who don't plan on spending a lot of time in their rooms, preferring instead to be out and about.

Family Suites - Category SJ - Deck 12

The bedroom area of Family Suite 12008.

Another new category of stateroom added during the drydock, the spacious family suites allow for up to six passengers per stateroom, thanks to an innovative layout and partitioning scheme. While the suite itself is essentially one large room, a hidden partition on a track system can be pulled out from the wall, effectively creating two rooms in one and allowing for privacy between the main room and the secondary sleeping area.

The track partition that separates

the main bedroom from the spare sleeping area.

The partition only goes halfway across the room, and eliminates the need to open or close the partition to allow parties sleeping on the pull-out beds to use the washroom at night. These Family Suites are remarkably well laid-out, and have generous floor space. While full six-person occupancy might feel a little tight, four people can certainly fit in these staterooms without any problem at all.

Owner's Suite with Two Balconies - Category SB - Decks 9 and 10

The sleeping area of Owner's Suite 10006.

Moving down two decks, we find the Owner's Suites with Two Balconies all the way forward. Done in a completely different style from the newer staterooms on Deck 12, these rooms have a cozy, intimate feel with their wood-like paneling, velvety colors, and unique design. In fact, it's not difficult to imagine a room similar to this existing on the great transatlantic liners of yesterday.

Closeup of the bed. Note the mirror above

reflecting the painting behind the pillows.

Once again, the entire room is decidedly well laid-out. The balcony nearest the bedroom looks out over the ship's bow, while the one adjacent to the dining area runs the length of the starboard or port side, depending on cabin location.

One of two balconies in 10006, facing forward.

Whomever designed the bathrooms on the Norwegian Star's suites seems to have been working overtime - they're extremely well designed, and these particular Owner's Suites are no exception.

The bright, spacious, yet nautically-themed bathroom.

The bathroom includes dual sinks, a full soaker tub, separate makeup area, toilet, and an individual shower. A large porthole window illuminates the entire area and makes the bathroom feel as inviting as the rest of the stateroom.

Little niceties, like this soap pump, are present

throughout the stateroom.

Two-bedroom Family Suite - Category SC - Deck 11

The living and dining area of suite 11050.

Last but not least, we have perhaps my favorite suite aboard Norwegian Star. The two-bedroom family suites boast fantastic wood panelling throughout, and their wooden archways above doors and windows give the room an almost Parisian feel. These staterooms are spacious without being ostentatious, and have a cozy, intimate feel. All the expected amenities, including bar set-up, a podded coffee maker, and a small sitting and dining area are included.

Why leave your stateroom when coffee is included?

The bedroom lies off the main living area, which also doubles as an additional sleeping area for a total occupancy of five people. The master bedroom is beautifully done, and opens onto the well-appointed, and brightly lit, bathroom. The design of the bedroom itself has a distinctly Victorian feel to it - perfect for those who love old-world elegance, with a modern twist. A pair of drapes separate the room from the bathroom, ensuring privacy even when the stateroom is at maximum occupancy.

The Master Bedroom, Suite 11050.

Like the other suites aboard Norwegian Star, the bathroom of the two bedroom family suite features a large picture window next to the bathtub - ensuring scenic cruising doesn't go unnoticed. Dual sinks, a separate shower and toilet stall, and even a television compliment this spacious room.

The new passenger corridor on Deck 12.

As we finish our tour of some of the Norwegian Star's staterooms, it's hard not to be impressed with the work the company has done on the new Deck 12 staterooms. When I first heard of the planned renovations, including the relocation of the Spinnaker Lounge, I was skeptical. I wondered how the entire process was going to be pulled off.

Instead of a rush-job, it's clear NCL put quite a bit of thought into the new stateroom arrangements, and their design and execution clearly fills a need in their passenger base. So far, these additions are exclusive to Norwegian Star; her sister ship, Norwegian Dawn, still sports the original arrangement, with the Spinnaker Lounge on Deck 12. If the refurbishment of the Star is considered successful, it's not difficult to imagine the Dawn receiving similar treatment in the future.

It's clear that NCL values this trendsetting ship, and this latest round of renovations make Norwegian Star a ship well suited to a variety of cruisers seeking a truly 'freestyle' experience.

Be sure to join From the Deck Chair tomorrow as we look at some of the Norwegian Star's public areas. For more information on the Norwegian Star, be sure to visit the Norwegian Cruise Line website.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Coming Tomorrow: The Norwegian Star Photo-Tour

It's a sink, yes - but where?

Be sure to check back tomorrow as we discover the many ins and outs of Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Star.

The first installment of our two-part series on this 2001-built ship details some of Norwegian Star's diverse staterooms, including those just installed this past summer during a refit which saw the former Spinnaker Lounge relocated from above the bridge to Deck 7 in order to make way for a startling array of new accommodations.

Coming Tuesday, the second installment will focus on the ship's various public rooms and dining venues. Be forewarned: you're not likely to go hungry on an NCL ship.

From the Deck Chair will return tomorrow.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Preview: Norwegian Star Photo Tour

The Norwegian Star at sea.

Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Before there was Norwegian Epic - or Gem, or Pearl, or even Dawn for that matter - there was the Norwegian Star.

Christened in Miami on November 17, 2001 in a rare dual-ceremony with Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Star was Norwegian Cruise Line's first ship purpose-built to take advantage of their new Freestyle Cruising program.

The Norwegian Star would revitalize NCL and greatly influence the design of all future ships the line would build and design. Even features onboard the new Norwegian Epic can trace their origins back to this single, defining ship.

Today, we're embarking on Norwegian Star while she is berthed at Canada Place in Vancouver, BC for a full tour of this exciting ship, and will have top-to-bottom photos posted right here on From the Deck Chair later this coming week. This will be the third ship to be featured in our successful photo-tour lineup, after Holland America Line's Rotterdam in May, and Silversea's intimate Silver Shadow in June.

So what makes Norwegian Star so groundbreaking for NCL? Stay tuned - a complete photo-tour is coming this week.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Tropical Storms & Missed Ports

An unexpected storm can cause unexpected

problems - if you aren't prepared.

With Tropical Storm Nicole wreaking havoc in the Caribbean and the East Coast in general this week, there have been a slew of re-routed cruise ships.

A post on CruiseCritic's Carnival board suggests passengers aboard Carnival Conquest might not be taking it all in stride: there's talk of a protest against port calls cancelled due to the rough weather. In the end, it seems the threatened protest didn't actually occur - but it has in the past.

Besides providing some lively entertainment for the armchair cruiser, this post illustrates a dangerous trend that seems to occur more and more frequently: passengers, apparently more informed than the officers onboard or the cruise line ashore, banding together in protest. Their demands? Everything from sailing straight into a hurricane-ravaged area to onboard credits to free cruises - it's all up for grabs.

What does this scenario look like? A quick Youtube search brings up one of the most disturbing examples, shot onboard Carnival Legend in 2009. Embarrassing is an excellent way to describe the video, which is filled with vitriolic guests holding court in the ship's atrium, yelling, shouting, and generally tripping all over each other as they try to get in on the action. The cause of all this? H1N1 - better known as the swine flu - re-routed the ship and resulted in cancelled port calls.

Aboard Carnival Conquest this week, the problem is scheduled calls in Grand Cayman and Jamaica - or lack thereof. Tropical Storm Nicole has forced the cancellation of both ports, leaving passengers with a lot of sea days with heavy swells.

In Carnival's defense, there's not a lot of places they could go. The rapidly shifting storm made for canceled calls everywhere from the Western Caribbean to the Bahamas and up the Eastern seaboard. The line provided a refund of port charges in the affected ports, and gave each passenger a twenty per cent discount off a future cruise.

So what are your rights if your cruise misses a particular port? For that answer, it is important to read all your documentation. The cruise contract - the same one printed at the back of every brochure - states that the itinerary is a guide and that final discretion rests with the line and the Captain, and that ports may be canceled or substituted at will.

No Captain or cruise line will ever place their guests in harm's way because a few still want to do some duty free shopping in Grand Cayman. This is particularly true during hurricane season, which can last all the way to November 30th. Guests booking cruises to the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean, or the Mexican Riviera need to understand that this is the most volatile time for storms in the region, and that their itinerary may not go as planned.

As always, the bottom line is this: if you book a cruise during hurricane season, be aware of the risks. Above all, never, ever book any itinerary because you must see a certain port; rather, book for the itinerary as a whole.

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