Eschew

Just wanted to know had anyone here cruised with "Star Cruises" before. I have been told that they have more 50% of the Asia-Pacific cruise market, and they are the world's third largest cruise line behind Carnival(Princess/HAL) and RCL(Celebrity), and they own NCL.

DW is lookig for an Asian-Pacific trip in 2012 or 2013 and their ships home ported in SIngapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia etc. Since we have never even heard of them before (until now), I am reluctant to give them a try.

I have read some reviews and they are a mixed bag. The ships look like NCL ships with the bright color and decore, which I am not a big fan of.

All comments appreciated.

qwovadis

Aware of them budget for Asian market mainly not too much good on the boards.I am trying for Seabourn over there next
year discounts on vacationstogo.com all suites all AI no tipping.

Cruise Critic has 29 Star cruise reviews, detailed Star ship photos, discussion boards and lots of Star deals to compare.
http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/...ruiseLineID=84

charli

I have seen their ships and they look nice enough on the outside. As an American, I rather like having English be the main language whether it is announcements or speaking with staff. Customer Service, amenities, and other standards of shipboard life are more familiar and fitting to my American standards meaning less misunderstanding and "culture shock", as well as a better chance of fulfilled expectations. Lucky me, I do not have to cruise on budget lines either, which I would not care to do. That is just my humble opinion about trying a cruise like Star. I would not do it. You have traveled enough to know how flexible you are.

Eschew

I am not aware that they were "budget" cruise line as the price quoted was $800 for 5 days, outside cabin, which in my mind, is not cheap when compare to the mass market lines.

They have listed "English" as the main language bt I am sure they employ lots of staff where Englsih is not their first language (not a surprise).

Azamara and Princess are options but the ports of calls are quite "different".

As I have said earleir, I did peeked at various boardw and read reviews and saw photoes, I was hoping to hear from someone who has actaully been on board, good, bad or otherwise.

doug_stallings

Star Cruises caters to the Asian market, and you have to keep that in mind. These are typically older ships with fewer amenities and no no-smoking policies. Gambling is a focus of many of the ships, and most Star Cruises ships have karaoke lounges. I consider $800 for a 5-night cruise pretty much of a budget. Consider that a typical upscale cruise line like Holland America would charge $1200 to $1400 for a similar cabin, and you can do the extrapolation.

Star Cruises typically does not cater to the American market, but I can't tell you the differences between a Star Cruises cruise and an NCL cruise, though NCL has ransferred many of its older ships to the parent line. However, Star is now only part-owner of NCL, not a full owner anymore.

Eschew

Thanks Doug. The no no-smoking policy would be a deal breaker for me. I am surpirse to hear the $800 is budget for 5 days as I typically pays $100 to $125 per day per person on Celebrity and Princess (outside or lowest category balcony)etc, which I consider mass market, and similar to HAL.

doug_stallings

Eschew I'm guessing you're going on Caribbean cruises, where there is a glut of staterooms and many ships catering to the U.S. market. Cruises almost anywhere else are almost always more expensive, particularly in Asia.

Eschew

We typically cruise Princess or Celebrity for the past few eyars. We have been through most area except Asia.

We didn't find Europe or Australia particualr expensive as deals could be had at the right time. Last European trip (2010), we paid about $150 per person per day on a Princess small ship, and it was with a balcony.

We could have booked for the coming week on a 13 days New Zealand crusie for under $100 per person per day (outside cabin).

Mind you, in both cases, the list price is much higher.

Either way, with the lack of a no-smoking policy. It's out. I think I will investigate Azamara, or Princess small ships.