Norwegian Star Review

Mostly Positive Experience

Review for the Panama Canal & Central America Cruise on Norwegian Star
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kira5
6-10 Cruises • Age 70s

Rating by category

Cabin
Value for Money
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Additional details

Sail Date: Feb 2019
Cabin: Family Inside

This 14 day cruise was from Miami through the Panama Canal and north to Los Angeles. The ship was clean and well maintained as was our cabin. The toilet stopped working twice

(affecting a number of cabins) but was repaired promptly.

The staff, without fail, was pleasant, friendly and helpful. Any request was dealt with promptly.

Cabin Review

Family Inside

The beds were quite firm, perhaps too firm for some. No small sofa which I missed. Probably not enough closet space for a couple with serious wardrobes. Very quiet in the room; we slept soundly.

Port Reviews

Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera)

This is a small town and similar to many other small towns in Central America. We used the free wifi in a small cafe.

Puerto Quetzal (Antigua)

There was a ship shuttle which took us to a small group of stalls. We had expected to see a town but were told the nearest town was a one and a half hour taxi ride away.

Acapulco

First time in Acapulco. We were harassed the moment we came out of the port by vendors that wanted us to take their taxi tours. One man told us he was a government tourist guide and only wanted to help but as he followed us for two blocks it was apparent he wanted to sell us a 2 hour taxi ride to John Wayne's former home, etc. He walked off when it was apparent to him we weren't buying. I've read Acapulco has worked to improve their crime and drug reputation and we didn't feel unsafe on our brief walk along the waterfront but trash was everywhere and we soon turned back. This city didn't compare favourably with Mazatlan or Cabo San Lucas.

Cabo San Lucas

This tender port was clean and touristy with lots of vendors selling tours and taxi rides, jewellery and other wares. We used the wifi at the Starbucks. The town felt like a manufactured tourist town along the lines of Cancun.

Cartagena (Colombia)

We took a taxi ($15 USD) to the old Fort. $25 USD to enter. The fort is centuries old but there wasn't much to see and only a couple of cannons in place. A lot more could have been done and as it was not worth the fee charged. We have visited other forts that have gone to a lot of trouble with displays, demonstrations and costumed personnel in place.

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