Staterooms

The cabins are essentially average for today's modern mega-shipsperfectly adequate and comfortable, but most are not expansive. All cabins feature a safe and a refrigerator and TV, as well as adequate closet and somewhat limited drawer space for a seven-night cruise. Inside cabins are approximately 142 sq. feet, outside, approximately 158 sq. feet and balcony cabins, approximately 166 sq. feet. Balcony cabins and higher categories come with a very small couch that constitutes a sitting area, and mini-suites on Deck 11 have slightly more room. The Owners and Penthouse suites were substantially larger, with separate sitting rooms.

This ship boasts probably the two largest suites at sea, the Garden Villas, which occupy two entire decks, perched above the pool area. In addition to an expansive sitting room with a piano and bar, each suite has three bedrooms with accompanying gigantic bathrooms, complete with floor to ceiling windows onto the ocean. Aft, there is an amazing deck area with a garden, babbling brooks, a covered whirlpool and a covered patio. One deck above is a vast open deck space that seems to be more room than can possibly be used by people. For the ultimate experience, both Garden Villa suites can be combined to form one truly expansive, 10,000+ square foot suite.

Outside cabins on Deck 4 have small portholes, while the rest have large picture windows. The 12 furthest aft cabins on either side on Deck 11 (11660 to 11688 and 11160 to 11188) have balconies where the partitions are at an angle, making for a less private experience than one might like. Mini-suites and above get the exclusive use of a concierge, who can arrange priority tender disembarkation, priority immigration service, and an invitation to an exclusive cocktail party with the Captain. Most helpful, however, is the concierge's assistance in booking shore excursions and priority restaurant reservations.

Norwegian Star has a wide variety of cabin types which range from standard insides to the two whoppingly huge and elaborate Garden Villas perched above the aft portion of the ship.

The standard rooms (all of them, except for those designated as "suites"), are designed with colorful nautical-inspired prints on bedspreads and carpeting, rich cherry-stained furnishings, a seating area that can be converted (in most rooms) into another bed, and a "split bathroom" configuration that has a small sink in the middle, toilet on one side, and a nice-sized stall shower on the other, each closed off by a sliding glass door. Amenities in standard and mini-suite bathrooms include a bar of Neutrogena face soap, a small bottle of lotion, and pump bottles of both soap and shampoo in the shower and hand soap at the sink. No hair conditioner is provided.

Note: The move to the pump bottles for soap and shampoo has made some guests feel that NCL is cheapening their experience. In fact, the move was made for waste conservation, and the quality of the products is very good. We had misgivings, but although it isn't labeled, the shampoo is actually terrific and is probably a generic version of Herbal Essences.

Suite guests (Penthouse and higher) get L'Occitane bath products.

Standard cabins also have plenty of closet space and drawers, a mirrored vanity, a writing table, a television and a mini-fridge. Oddly, the only 110-volt plug is located at the vanity area, which also has a nice salon-style hairdryer to use. If you intend to bring a laptop, bring a set of converter plugs too, so you can plug into the 220-volt outlets located by the writing tables.

Balconies on those cabins which have them are spacious and furnished with comfortable cloth-mesh recliners. The Deck 11 mini-suite balconies are a little bit deeper than those located on lower floors, as are the balconies of the eight standard balcony cabins located here. The rooms at the forward end and at the aft of the Lido Deck overhang on this deck have a portion of balcony that is uncovered, adding to the sunshine quotient.

Mini-suites have a large, elegant bathroom with tub, a larger seating area, and elegant drapes, spreads and carpeting. The full pull-across drape separating the seating area from the sleeping area is double-lined, shutting out almost all light, and welcomed by those who have alternate sleeping and waking schedules.

Hint: The closet in the mini-suites is located adjacent to the bed, facing the center of the room. The configuration requires reaching sideways to access the shelving since there is not a door that opens to that part of the closet. It isn't an ideal design, but is made much easier when you discover that there is, indeed, a light in the closet. It's hidden: Almost at eye-level, there is a little button at the back. Press it and presto! Light! The button is visible in the dark since it emits a soft glow, but if you don't know it's there, it makes the closet difficult to use.

Guests in mini-suites and above have a concierge at their service; guests in Penthouse suites have the added advantage of butler service.

Of the 36 suites on Star, two are the aforementioned Garden Villas, 5,700 square ft. of opulent lifestyle, complete with private gardens, saunas, hot tubs, three bedrooms, a living area, a pantry and butler service. The others range from forward-facing Owner's Suites with 740 square ft. of living space to a variety of Penthouse suites, the ones at the aft corners having enormous wrap-around verandahs. All of the suites (except mini-suites) have whirlpool bathtubs. We particularly like the Penthouse suites located on the sides of Deck 11, with a floor-to-ceiling one-way window in the bath next to a whirlpool tub.

The 20 wheelchair-accessible rooms are available as insides, or outsides with balcony.

Garden Villa Deck: Deck 14 Garden Villas A1 are multiroom accommodations offering panoramic views of the ocean, each with a roof terrace and private garden (Japanese- or Thai-style) featuring open-air dining, Jacuzzis, and totally private sunning and relaxation areas. In addition to a living room and dining room, the villas also offer three separate bedrooms, each with private luxury bath, VCR, CD library, and LCD television and VCD player. The master bath also features a full bath with whirlpool and separate shower. Butler and concierge service available. 5,802- to 5871-sq.-ft. villa (including balcony).

Owner's Suite Deck: Deck 9, Deck 10 Owner's Suite AA features a large balcony, a bedroom with queen-sized bed and walk-in closet, a living room with minibar, refrigerator, VCR, CD library, LCD television and VCD player, a dining room, and luxury bathroom with Jacuzzi and separate shower and whirlpool tub. Each suite can be interconnected to a studio suite and balcony cabin. 571- to 750-sq.-ft. suite with 150-sq.-ft. balcony.

Penthouse Deck: Deck 11 Penthouse AB features a private balcony, large living room with minibar, refrigerator, CD/DVD library, LCD television, separate bedroom with queen-sized bed, dining room, and a luxury bathroom with Jacuzzi and separate shower. Butler and concierge service available. 493-sq.-ft. suite with 81-sq.-ft. balcony.

Mini-Suite Deck: Deck 11 Mini-Suites AG feature a sitting area, private balcony, two lower beds that convert to a queen-sized bed, walk-in closet, safe, refrigerator, and a luxury bathroom with shower. Concierge available. 229-sq.-ft. mini-suite with 54-sq.-ft. balcony.

Stateroom with Balcony Deck: Deck 8, Deck 9, Deck 10, Deck 11 Staterooms with Balcony BA feature a private balcony, bedroom/living area with two lower beds that convert to a queen, safe, refrigerator, wardrobe/dressing table, and a bathroom with separate shower. 166-sq.-ft stateroom with 37- to 54-sq.-ft. balcony.

Inside Stateroom Deck: Deck 11 Inside Staterooms II feature a bedroom/living area with two lower beds that convert to a queen, safe, refrigerator, and a bathroom with separate shower. 142-sq.-ft. stateroom.