Norwegian Star: innovative vessel custom-designed for "Freestyle Cruising" - Ship of the Month - Norwegian Cruise Line

It's easy to find your way around the Norwegian Star, and you'll have no trouble discovering the many public areas that are truly elegant in an American and European sense. The suite of public rooms forward on Deck 12--Library, Reading Room, Shuffles Card Room, and business conference areas--all feature subdued colors and, with the exception of the library, wonderful views of the sea. All the way forward, one of the most attractive rooms onboard is the Spinnaker Lounge. With seating separated by simulated yacht railings, and comfortable chairs, this is both a daytime lounge and evening nightclub-cabaret.

Continuing aft, the Oasis lido area amid-ships contains two Carnivalesque pool slides and terraced seating. If you prefer a more private setting, there are many less frequented smaller spaces higher up--especially the terraced seating forward with a view over the bow. Aft of the Oasis is the Market Cafe, the venue for casual daytime dining that is available in the evening as well, whose decorative motif consists of large photomurals of oranges. A corner is reserved for youngsters who have their own miniature buffet line with alternative selections and miniature seating. Another unusual departure in the Market Cafe is a line dedicated to light and vegetarian choices. On the other end of the fat gram scale, good barbecue is generally available out ondeck. On the same level are a well-equipped children's center, Planet Kids, and an ice cream bar, Sprinkles.

High on Deck 13 amidships is the Star Bar, our personal favorite for pre-dinner cocktails, featuring piano music, windows overlooking the deck and ocean, and subdued decor. Nearby Las Ramblas provides hot and cold tapas dishes (free with the purchase of drinks) and Spanish entertainment. Among the other casual dining venues, the Blue Lagoon on the main promenade level offers 24-hour food service, and the Java Cafe, off the atrium, serves complimentary pastries with the purchase of specialty coffees.

Other areas worthy of mention aboard the Norwegian Star include the Mandarin Spa, a largely inside gym, and the Galleria, a department-store-style shopping area. The latter occupies a large space aft on the main promenade level that had been intended to accommodate the casino, had one been installed. Hawaiian law, however, prohibits this, so the Norwegian Star is one of the few casino-free cruise ships afloat. The Stardust Theatre, seating almost half the ship's complement, offers excellent sightlines and hightech special effects to complement the topnotch shows. The Starlight Chapel hosts wedding and vow-renewal ceremonies.

Cabins are available in 29 categories, but represent just several basic types. Unusual features include: most rooms offer a settee or berth for a third occupant; a variety of connecting arrangements make the ship an especially good choice for families and other groups traveling together; and most bathrooms are subdivided by sliding partitions into three areas--shower, toilet, and basin; 70 percent of accommodations offer ocean views, and of these, 70 percent have balconies. The amount of cabin space is not atypical of other new cruise ships, and storage room is adequate for a seven-day cruise. Decor includes attractive cherry veneers as well as nautical-themed bedspreads and other soft furnishings.