Norwegian will start 7-day cruises in hawaii late this fall with their new ship, the Norwegian Star. They cruise hawaii year-round starting in 2002. Can you give me some info on this new ship and whether or not Norwegian prce will be comparable to that of United States LIne or American Hawaii Cruises? I've cruise with Carnival and Royal Caribbean in the past, how does Norwegian measure up? I hope it's than the operation they ran when they had a ship in the Houston area for 3 or 4 years!!! <BR> <BR>Kenard Nixon

WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS CRUISE. SORRY NO ONE ANSWERED. WITH THE REP THAT NORWEGIAN HAS, I WOULD SURE LIKE TO KNOW WHAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. ANYONE THERE?

Those people that have already booked the NCL Star have found from what I've read on the cruise boards fantastic prices. The Star is going to be a unique ship and crew members that I've met on NCL all would like to be transferred to this itinerary...it will be upscale. It was built to the new owners specifications and will include private pools and terraces.

The only thing I can add is I've "heard" that there will be no casino on the ship because they will never sail in international waters. Don't know if thats true or important.

Don't have the brochure in front of me, but I can guarantee that there is a casino.. The organization that owns NCL is big on gambling on their ships plying the area. Casinos help make cruising very, very profitable for the lines.. Then again, I'm not a gambler...just a plain old fashioned shopper..

I am looking at the brochure for the Sun and the Star and there definitely is a casino on the Star. However, under the section where it lists the itineraries for the 7-day and the 10-day Hawaiian Islands cruises on the star, it says "Casino benefits are not available on Hawaiian itineraries."

www.ncl.com/fleet/02/star.htm <BR> <BR>The site for the Star...

<BR>Definitely no casino in Hawaii waters. <BR> <BR>Paul

feb 08,2002<BR> Just returned..A1..excellent, firstclass accomodations, meals and entertainment, and I say this despite being sick and out of commission for 3 days. Only negatives...this new ship groans , squeeks and rattles like a plastic barge ( in 12 foot waves). The other is do not make purchases at the mauna loa macadamia nut factory..interesting place to tour ( Hilo shore tour) but prices are way higher than even the traditional high price tourist shops. We even found identical product in Canada cheaper than at the production site.<BR>The ship is spotless throughout..you would think no one else ever used the many public washrooms, all dining areas had fresh, hot and tastefully presented food ....the fresh fruit was abundant and fresh. You would pay big bucks in cities to see evening entertainment of the calibre presented. Highly recommend.

We are sailing from honolulu on May 12th and would love to hear any and all pointers regarding the Star. As Canadians any budget ideas are great. Looking forward to my first lei????

We are sailing on May 5th.<BR><BR>Anyone else been on this ship? How many of the dining rooms do you have to pay a surcharge?<BR><BR>Is the food better than the other NCL ships?<BR><BR>Any tips? Any really good waiters to look for?

Phil - just curious, NCL has reduced your sailing prices to $299 for an oceanview - did you get that price and did you get a refund if you originally paid more? Just trying to see if NCL is like RCCL and Princess in that regard. Thanks.

Yes, that was the price we paid. $299.