Anyone have anything to say about the Ncl Star? We are leaving Nov.1,2005. Would like to know about wether to eat on the extra pay restaurants, how to dress, & what to do on shore. Thanks & happy sailing. Ellen

First of all, here is a link to a thorough review of the Norwegian Star (including a bunch of pictures)

http://www.cruisereviews.com/NorwegianCruiseLine/NorwegianStar36.htm

I would strongly suggest dining in one of the alternative restaurants every evening as this is what the Norwegian Star experience is all about. Plan you dining experience before you board her so that you know when to make reservations and where you are going.

Dress on the Star is really an individual choice. You could go the entire cruise without ever putting on a tie, or you could dress every night if you wanted.

For information about the ports, check out http://www.MexicoPortReviews.com.
Have a great cruise!

Tom

There are ten restaurants onboard the Star. Of these, five are free, and five have surcharges.
It's really not necessary to pay a surcharge to eat at a different restaurant, with different menu choices.

1) Versailles Main Restaurant (Main Dining Room)
Cuisine: Continental
Dress Code: No shorts or jeans after 6:00 p.m. in the dining rooms.
Surcharge: No
Reservations Required: No
Hours
Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Lunch: 12:00 noon – 2:30 p.m.
Dinner: 5:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
2) Aqua Main Restaurant (Main Dining Room)
Cuisine: Light Modern Continental
Dress Code: No shorts or jeans after 6:00 p.m. in the dining rooms.
Surcharge: No
Reservations Required: No
Hours
Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Lunch: 12:00 noon – 2:30 p.m.
Dinner: 5:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
3) The Soho Room
Cuisine: California, Hawaiian, Asian
Dress Code: No shorts or jeans after 6:00 p.m. in the dining rooms.
Surcharge: Yes, $15 per person
Reservations Required: Yes
Hours
Dinner Only: 5:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
4) Ginza Restaurant
Cuisine: Asian (Sushi, Sashimi, Teppanyaki)
Dress Code: No shorts or jeans after 6:00 p.m. in the dining rooms.
Surcharge: Yes, $12.50 per person
Reservations Required: Yes
Hours
Dinner Only: 5:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
5) Le Bistro French Restaurant
Cuisine: French
Dress Code: No shorts or jeans after 6:00 p.m. in the dining rooms.
Surcharge: Yes, $15 per person
Reservations Required: Yes
Hours
Dinner Only: 5:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
6) Cagney's Steakhouse
Cuisine: Steak
Dress Code: No shorts or jeans after 6:00 p.m. in the dining rooms.
Surcharge: Yes, $20 per person
Reservations Required: Yes
Hours
Check onboard
7) Salsa
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex Tapas Bar
Dress Code: No shorts or jeans after 6:00 p.m. in the dining rooms.
Surcharge: No
Reservations Required: Yes
Hours
Check onboard
8) Market Café/Kids' Cafe
Cuisine: Assorted Buffet, Food Stations, Kid-Sized Buffet
Dress Code: Casual
Surcharge: No
Reservations Required: No
Hours
Check onboard
9) La Trattoria
Cuisine: Casual Italian
Dress Code: Casual
Surcharge: No
Reservations Required: No
Hours
Check onboard
10) Blue Lagoon
Cuisine: Food Court, Grill
Dress Code: Casual
Surcharge: No
Reservations Required: No
Hours
24 Hours

On a week long cruise, I recommend spending the surcharge once. Golly, you have already paid for your dinners, save your money for shore excursions.