Norwegian Star Profile and Photo Review

There is something nice about a ship that is always smiling.  I am not talking just about the design painted on the bow of Norwegian Star that gives the ship the appearance of smiling.  Rather, I am talking about the friendliness of the officers and crew.

Throughout my recent cruise on Norwegian Star, I met people who could not do enough for me.  Moreover, they did not appear to be doing it because it was in their job description but rather because it was something they wanted to do.

On the last day of our call in Bermuda, I returned to the ship to find a corridor of officers and crew waiting for the guests by the gangway. There was a stilt walker and a juggler and much cheering as each guest arrived.  I was told that when the ship had been in Cozumel berthed next to Norwegian Pearl, there was a competition in which the two crews tried to out do each other in their greeting.  The enthusiasm has continued ever since.

The Star is the sister ship to Norwegian Dawn and together they comprise Norwegian’s Dawn class.  In design, it is quite similar to the line’s Jewel class ships.  She has most, but not all, of the features of the Jewel class.  As such, her version of the Norwegian cruise experience is quite good.

Norwegian Star is on something of an odyssey at the moment.  For most of her life, she sailed the West Coast of the United States.  However, this year, she shifted her base first to Tampa, Florida and then to New York.  Unfortunately for New Yorkers, she is only spending the summer there before moving to New Orleans.  But that too is temporary as she will be going to Copenhagen, Denmark next summer.

Beyondships’ profile page for Norwegian Star, with menus, programs and other information about the ship is at http://www.beyondships.com/NCLStar.html  Our photo tour and review begins at  http://www.beyondships.com/NCLStar-Tour-1.html

In addition, we have restaurant reviews of four of the specialty restaurants on the Star. http://www.beyondships2.com/norwegian-star-specialty-restaurant-review.html    Also, we have a review of the Chef’s Table experience, which is a recent dining addition on the NCL ships. http://www.beyondships2.com/norwegian-star-chefs-table-review.html   

Photos of Norwegian Gem and Enchantment of the Seas

Sometimes when I am on a cruise, there will be another ship that is doing the same, or almost the same itinerary.  This gives me the opportunity to photograph that ship in a variety of locations, doing different things.  This week, I have posted two photo essays resulting from such coincident itineraries.

The first shows Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas during a Bahamas cruise.  Enchantment had sailed from Baltimore, where she is homeported to Port Canaveral, Florida.  Then she sailed to Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, Coco Cay, and the next day to Nassau.

I was on Norwegian Gem sailing on a similar itinerary out of New York. Of course, Norwegian Cruise Line ships do not call at Royal Caribbean’s private island.  However, Norwegian’s private island is next to Royal’s and so with a telephoto lens, it is possible to get photos of ships calling at Coco Cay from Great Stirrup Cay.

The Enchantment of the Seas photo essay is posted at http://beyondships.com/RCI-ENOS-Bahamas.html

A few weeks later, I was on a Bermuda cruise as was Norwegian Gem.  As a result, I was able to record Gem’s cruise.  The Gem photo essay is at http://beyondships.com/NCLGem-Photos-Bermuda.html     

Visiting Windsor Castle and The Beatles' Liverpool

As  summer begins, so does the British Isles cruising season.  Even in summer, Britain is not like a Caribbean island and thus the focus of such cruises is not on beaches and fun in the sun.  Rather, it is on the rich cultural heritage that you can experience going ashore in the various ports of call.  This week, we present articles on two quite different aspects of that culture.

The first article is on visiting Windsor Castle.  It is the largest castle in England and has been a royal residence since the 11^th Century.  Naturally, quite a lot has taken place there and you can see where kings, queens and statesmen lived and did things that changed the course of history.  In addition, a fabulous art collection is housed there.

What makes Windsor even more interesting is that it is still a royal residence.  The Queen lives there and state occasions still occur there.

Windsor is located near London and while it is not on the sea, it is not far from the major cruise ports.  It thus is a good day trip before or after a cruise.  Some ships also offer organized shore excursions there.

Our article on visiting Windsor Castle is at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-article---windsor-castle.html

Cruise ships calling in Liverpool usually offer a tour focusing on The Beatles.  Liverpool was the rock group’s hometown and the town very much remembers them.

While a visit to Windsor is all about the splendor and glory of British culture, a Beatles tour takes you to quite ordinary places.  Indeed, that is what is so interesting about it - - four people with backgrounds just like millions of others were able to have such a tremendous impact not just on music but social mores and thought.

Our article on touring the Beatles’ Liverpool is at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-article---beatles-liverpool.html         

Carnival Magic Profile and Photo Review

Carnival Magic has an impressive look.  Yes, the basic design dates back to Carnival Destiny but over the years the design has grown, becoming taller, wider and longer.  As a result, the proportions are better.  She looks mightier, stronger, more filled-out.

Inside Magic carries forward the innovations made with the first ship in the class Carnival Dream.  For example, she has the Ocean Plaza, where the interior promenade meets with the outdoor Lanai.

But Magic also has her own innovations.  The balcony level of the buffet restaurant has been turned into an Italian specialty restaurant called La Cucina della Capitano - - the Kitchen of the Captain.  The navigation officers on the Carnival ships have traditionally been from Italy and this is a tribute to that heritage, combining popular Italian fare with a décor inspired by an Italian sea captain's home.  There are some nice paintings of Carnival ships by maritime artist Stephen Card on the walls.

Another new feature is the Red Frog Pub – Carnival’s first pub.  However, it is not an English pub like you find on numerous ships but rather a Caribbean-inspired pub.  It has its won brand of beer as well as seating both indoors and on the Lanai.

The highlight of the new sports area is the Sky Course, where guests can swing from ropes suspended high over the deck.  Well, some guests can.

Overall, Magic has a bright and bold atmosphere.  The color scheme is somewhat different than Carnival Dream and the public rooms do not have the imaginative artistic references of earlier Carnival ships.  However, the overall effect is pleasing and contusive to a fun cruise experience.

Beyondships' profile page for Carnival Magic, with menus, daily programs and other information, is at http://beyondships.com/CarnivalMagic-Profile.html  The multi-page photo tour of the ship begins at http://beyondships.com/CarnivalMagic-Tour-1.html