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Paula Vermilya

Age: 51
Occupation: Risk Manager Consultant
Number of Cruises: 1
Cruise Line: NCL
Ship: STAR
Sailing Date: May 30th, 2004
Itinerary: Alaska

This was our first cruise and we loved it. We chose this line because it had the longest time in port, due to the freestyle dining. We loved the concept of freestyle dining. You do not have to be back on the ship to eat, because all 10 restaurants are open to 10 p.m., and room service is 24/7. The food was fabulous. I had room service in am, but my husband ate a full breakfast everyday. We had lunches that would have cost $50.00 per meal in Atlanta. I liked the fact they include $10.00/day for tips per person on your ship bill, but we tipped every meal, room service, excursions, etc. Many people did not and it was very rude. $10.day is not enough for the service you get.

And of course shore excursions were not included in that, but people did not tip anyway. We went to glacier bay, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchican and Victora, BC. All were great. The best excursion was the float plane to Taku Lodge over glaciers, then they fed us a feast of salmon at ther lodge. My husband rock climbed and loved it. The White Pass railroad is a must. We booked evrything through the ship, and paid $99 pp for the White Pass, but some people went for $30.00 just through the train depot - same trip. The sport fishing in Ketchican was a bomb. 12 boats with 4 people each out fishing and no one caught a thing, because it was not fishing season. It cost $179.00 and was the nmost expensive nap I ever took. Do not go unless you talk to a local who is not selling the trip. You can easily go through a local fisherman and do not have to pay ship prices also. We took the Victoria Craighborn Castle and city excursion in a double decker bus and loved it. The most beautiful city have ever seen. AS FAR AS THE SHIP GOES, IT WAS GREAT. wE HAD A ROOM WITH A BALCONY AND THE BALCONY WAS WORTH THE EXTRA BUCKS. THE WEATHER WAS GORGEOUS, and sitting on the balcony was wonderful.

My husband liked the running track on the top deck and I used the spa twice for massages and it was greta. We played lots of games and won great prizes; free drinks, bottle of champagne, a spa treatment, cups, cards, all kinds of stuff. One lady won a free cruise for 2 for up to 17 days in Bingo. Alot of people won cash prizes up to $1300. Ypu could dress up for special dinners with the captain, but we did not want to bother. The service was impeccable.

The CABIN WAS ADEQUATE IN SPACE. I LIKED THE FACT THE TOILET WAS IN A SEPARATE ROOM, AND THE SHOWER HAD A HAND HELD SPRAYER AND was plenty big enough. We will choose NCL again because the freestyle dining gave you so much freedom and the service was great. The entertainment was all good too. The cruise director was everywhere, and he was funny and friendly.

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